Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!nrl-cmf!mailrus!umix!umich!mibte!gamma!ulysses!thumper!faline!bellcore!clyde!wayback!atux01!jlc
From: jlc@atux01.UUCP (J. Collymore)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: NEW!  A MIDI notation program that THINKS?!
Message-ID: <678@atux01.UUCP>
Date: 5 May 88 19:24:13 GMT
Organization: AT&T CSEd/CET, Piscataway, N.J.
Lines: 54
Keywords: More accurate MIDI sequencing/notation
Summary: Musical notation IS Necessary IF you are a SERIOUS about your

music
References: <673@atux01.UUCP> <157@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu>

In article <157@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu>, czei@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu (Michael S. Czeiszperger) writes:
> >imperfect players, who wish to preserve our music notated on paper, have been
> >dreaming of for a long time.
> >
> If this program functions as advertised, and I really doubt that it
> would work with anything more complicated than the typical rock tune,
> then I hope it will stop this strange facination with musical notation.
> Learning music notation doesn't make you a musician or composer any more
> than learning how to type makes you a novelist.
> 
> 
> 
> Michael S. Czeiszperger         | "The only good composer is a dead composer"
> Systems Analyst                 | Snail: 2015 Neil Avenue         (614)
> The Ohio State University       |        Columbus, OH 43210          292-
> cbosgd!osu-cis!accelerator!czei | czei@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu  0161

If you read the May (?) issue of Keyboard magazine near the front there is an
article on DMS (Disposable Music Syndrome).  The author asserts that most of
the music nowadays (because of the heavy use of sequencers and computers) does
NOT require (and he's right) that the composer of the music know how to read
or write music.  This is not as good for the composer's (or the society's)
posterity as it may seem.  He observes that most magnetic storage media
(computer disks and tapes) have a life expectancy of about 25 years before
they deteriorate.  This means that since most novice/aspiring composers these
days can expect that many copies of their music will only be a fading memory
in a few decades (unless they are lucky enough to have their music recorded on
longer lived vinyl records).  So sayingly, such composers are willingly making
their music "disposable."  And by so doing, these composers are saying they
don't care if their music doesn't survive beyond their own lifetime (they
are creating disposable music).  It gives no musicians (or non-musicians) in
the future the opportunity to hear, enjoy, or play your music.

We are able today to hear, enjoy and perform the music of 500+ years ago
primarily because SOMEONE took the time to learn, and then write down, the
musical notation.  Because of this, even obscure composers of the past
(the equivalent of our "garage" rock bands today) are having their music
played even today, up to half a millenium later!  Some of these people may
not even have had their music performed publicly THEN, but people know,
admire, and respect their music NOW!  WHY?  In part, because they took the
trouble to learn, or get someone who knew how, to WRITE IT DOWN!

Now if all you're interested in is short-term fame and fortune while you're
alive and don't give a damn about being remembered a generation or more after
your death, fine.  But if you'd like to possibly have the fruits of your musical
labors and talent live on, either learn to read and write music, or at least
get someone or SOMETHING that can write it down for you!!

Don't applaud and promote ignorance, history doesn't.


						Jim Collymore