I’m in my 60s and restarting my piano lessons that I stopped when I was 14. For such a long time and many busy years, I always missed my old piano and about 20 years ago I bought a keyboard thinking I would try to regain the skills I lost. It was very unsatisfying and I gave it up. Now I have a lot of time to devote to practicing and found a teacher willing to teach a senior citizen so I bought a used Seiler grand piano. Even though my playing is elementary, the music is beautiful and I really enjoy the feeling I get when I play.
Same for classical guitar. I appreciate the convenience of writing music out in a program and having it play it back for me, but I have to have a guitar in my hands just to make for sure it’s playable. I’ve just recently purchased a book a blank sheet music to try my hand at writing without digital assistance. 😊
I appreciate this episode. It is scary to think of digital devices, even AI, replacing human creativity. I am terrified by the image and thought of musical instruments being literally crushed, musicality oppressed.
The shift to digital shouldn’t be surprising. The cost of purchasing a good acoustic piano versus the cost of purchasing a good sounding digital piano (or workstation or arranger) is significant. In addition, the physical space requirement in a home is much greater for an acoustic piano than a digital piano. The digital piano is portable. The digital piano allows the user not only the ability to play music, but also save it, record it, edit it, transmit it and add effects, as well as provide sheet music. The digital piano allows the user to play with headphones, thereby insulating mom and dad or the neighbors or roommates from loud music at any time of the day. The digital piano also allows the musician to compose for, and record, a full orchestra. No wonder the opportunity for creativity is much greater with a digital device.
We’re in a transitional time - beyond what introducing mechanical devices brought to the musical soundscape which had been solely vocal and percussive. Mechanical instruments were developed and introduced over centuries, in remote locales where they didn’t cross cultural and geographic boundaries (and still haven’t completely). The speed and comprehensive nature of this transition is unnerving for sure. But I believe that presence-fueled interactions between live musicians performing on acoustic, tactile, air-pushing instruments and listeners will not only survive this transition, but actually multiply in quantity of performances. There is something immutably experienced and satisfying about sharing a place in time and space,😊 sharing a full sensory experience with other musicians and listeners which can’t be had in the presence of purely digital music.
I teached today at the conservatory new students and noticed this: 1. We live in very crazy times, towards a Blade Runner feel 2. Students come fresh, actually HUNGRY for deep dive in musical skills and knowledge that give them a SOURCE OF INCOME as well, togheter as fulfillment of their purpose. 3.Teachers and directors of instituitions don´t take this serious enough, or are not able to do it, for whatever the financial or bureacratical, political, reason. CONSEQUENCE: The students and their hunger are DESTROYED from above, from those to whom they come with naivety asking for help. Music - togheter with other things - is being DESTROYED this way: from ABOVE. From a crucial incompetence and lack of seriousity, and idealism, from above. IF this is the case in VIENNA. Imagine the rest of the world, when it comes to classical music!
I agree as well. I’m just an amateur classical pianist. I’ve played for a number of years. I just recently achieved a life long dream of purchasing a Yamaha conservatory grand. The connection with it is amazing when playing. You feel like you’re inside and apart of the piano. I also have a digital piano, which is not a cheap instrument. But I get no joy in playing it. Analog is the way to go.
I have a Roland FP 10.I have been self teaching via TH-cam videos over the last two years almost. I have listened extensively to recordings by accomplished pianists of many of the great piano -based composers and many of the almost forgotten composers unearthed by a couple pianists online. I have been creating my own melodic compositions. I transitioned from the electric guitar in my youth to the classical guitar much later in life. I don’t have room nor the means to bring a piano up to my third floor flat. I am forcing myself not to buy the Roland DP603 which is my realistic dream for which I have the money already set aside. I want three of my compositions to be completed to a high level before I make the purchase. I take great influence in terms of Construction from Beethoven. When it comes to melodic refrain I take partial influence from Chopin to drift momentarily with a note or two in a dissonant manner before returning to the original harmonics of my melodies as I develop them in a similar way to Beethoven. Thought not a massive fan of Debussy and Satie I draw inspiration for the development of complexity of tones yet also the subtle omission of actual notes struck in preference for manipulation of the space between notes struck because this is where much of the music lies. Money no object, I would drop everything for a 9 foot Fazioli Grand piano. I mean, who wouldn’t? Sat on my Roland bench at my FP 10 perched on a Roland X stand and mostly playing via Roland semiopen headphones , I can play to my hearts content into the early hours of the morning. The time will come when I merit owning an acoustic piano but for now I must hone my craft on the realistic piano action and outstanding sounds of the FP 10 and soon to come DP603 that are more than adequate for a melodist who aspires to one-day play the piano with some aplomb!😊
I've been moving away from this world as I take computers and even electricity out of every part of my life that doesn't need it and taking back this creativity along with my rights to own and control my possessions which tech companies are taking away while most people say "I don't care" going as far as expressing they don't care because they won't be here when they have children and grandchildren being raised by brainrot content on youtube destroying their creativity before it can begin. One of the reasons I won't upgrade my Dell Latitude D630 from 2007 is because of how tech companies are fighting to take away our creativity and ownership and I value the power of voting with your wallet which is the most effective way to bring back what we lost in the past. For this reason, I also decided not to buy a digital piano to play while restoring my actual piano that sounds like no piano you can get today. Almost no one today knows what it was like when the music you listened to was what you created yourself and the whole song felt like the good part of an exceptionally good song that comes once in a while because you created the music yourself. This is what I'm moving towards as I play all my own instruments while only using modern technology where it belongs such as recording and mixing lossless music that can be copied unlimited amount of times with perfect quality and plan to put it into the public domain when I get good enough to make it as accessible as possible while modern music is forgotten as soon as a trend that keeps getting shorter ends. A pattern of parents dumbing down the next generation of children is what I believe to be most responsible for this while the failed parents blame kids these days as the scapegoats for their own failed parenting and I'm already seeing my own generation (Gen Z) doing the same while letting cocomelon and other content designed to keep eyes glued to the screen for as long as possible on a phone or tablet at all times doing so much damage that kids grow up with less brain matter and are becoming unteachable which means almost no creativity at all.
I think there is a huge difference between consumers of recorded music and musicians. Most consumers will be content with music regardless of how it’s recorded - even eventually AI generated music. However, musicians will still require physical instruments that involve them physically producing the sound- even if the sound is ultimately produced electronically such as digital pianos. There is something special about being able to play music rather than just listening to it.
Excellent video, Robert that begs a discussion beyond the confines of this video. I would say it’s a double edged sword as the saying goes for it but I believe it goes beyond that adage in its depth.
I doubt that digital sound reproduction, modeled or sampled apps on an iPad etc. will replace the tactile expression possible on a stringed instrument. The touch of the bow to a violin, the pick to the guitar string or the breath through the mouthpiece, all contribute to the experience. Piano - well, it IS huge, and a high-end digital piano can come close - AND give you the linked-together feel that is vital to quality musicianship. But the sax will survive...
Agree 100%. So far, it has been technology increasingly replacing art. The ultimate case of that is the music created by AI that may sound realistic but after listening to it for a while (like while waiting on hold on the phone), your brain starts to rebel. You can hear it in most modern pop music as technology has managed to give recycled songs a new life, just like all of those movie remakes featuring CGI. Eventually, most of us just tune them all out. Art cannot be contained. That is what has made it so subversive to power throughout history. It's like trying to hold water in our hands. Art finds a way to break through. Personally, I have retreated to classical and jazz even if I have to learn to play it myself. Poor substitute but the struggle makes me appreciate how good the true artists really are. We'll get through this.
The invention of the keyboard (and eventually the piano) was also a technological intrusion on creativity, E-sharp is not F natural, B-Sharp is not C natural, D-sharp is not E-flat. And yet we have mostly survived. So Apple got it wrong in tghinking the instruments make the music and I agree. We can find a way through this because at heart, the artist has something to say and will use whatever tool is at their disposal to say it. The real shame is in truncating the necessity for a large, full, tool box into one handy "100 in 1" multi-tool. just sayin' as a creative in both music and art.
I completely agree! I love the creative touch that humans bring to the table. Sometimes in those little mistakes new ideas come forth. I’m not a pianist myself, but a guitarist/songwriter. Here’s an Original instrumental I wrote a while back. It was influenced by the times I spent at my grandmothers as a kid. th-cam.com/video/gsODVEMDW0M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6XeA0KH4W-cnn677
So well presented Robert! I think any musician will agree about using the "tech" as a tool, not as a replacement for the soul. Just yesterday - there's a great example with Jon Batiste's version of Für Elise now on TH-cam (th-cam.com/video/-5YRhvH6Uys/w-d-xo.html). Even if he was playing a great digital piano, I don't think there would be the "resonance" (no pun intended) between performer and instrument.
![ILLSLICK - WINTER IS COMING [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dwTMeM1zIhQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Totally agree Bob, I see this everyday in my classroom.
I’m in my 60s and restarting my piano lessons that I stopped when I was 14. For such a long time and many busy years, I always missed my old piano and about 20 years ago I bought a keyboard thinking I would try to regain the skills I lost. It was very unsatisfying and I gave it up. Now I have a lot of time to devote to practicing and found a teacher willing to teach a senior citizen so I bought a used Seiler grand piano. Even though my playing is elementary, the music is beautiful and I really enjoy the feeling I get when I play.
Very true observations, Robert. Thank you!
Excellent. Fortunately people are beginning to Jam more. thanks
Same for classical guitar. I appreciate the convenience of writing music out in a program and having it play it back for me, but I have to have a guitar in my hands just to make for sure it’s playable. I’ve just recently purchased a book a blank sheet music to try my hand at writing without digital assistance. 😊
I appreciate this episode. It is scary to think of digital devices, even AI, replacing human creativity. I am terrified by the image and thought of musical instruments being literally crushed, musicality oppressed.
The shift to digital shouldn’t be surprising. The cost of purchasing a good acoustic piano versus the cost of purchasing a good sounding digital piano (or workstation or arranger) is significant. In addition, the physical space requirement in a home is much greater for an acoustic piano than a digital piano. The digital piano is portable. The digital piano allows the user not only the ability to play music, but also save it, record it, edit it, transmit it and add effects, as well as provide sheet music. The digital piano allows the user to play with headphones, thereby insulating mom and dad or the neighbors or roommates from loud music at any time of the day. The digital piano also allows the musician to compose for, and record, a full orchestra. No wonder the opportunity for creativity is much greater with a digital device.
We’re in a transitional time - beyond what introducing mechanical devices brought to the musical soundscape which had been solely vocal and percussive.
Mechanical instruments were developed and introduced over centuries, in remote locales where they didn’t cross cultural and geographic boundaries (and still haven’t completely).
The speed and comprehensive nature of this transition is unnerving for sure.
But I believe that presence-fueled interactions between live musicians performing on acoustic, tactile, air-pushing instruments and listeners will not only survive this transition, but actually multiply in quantity of performances.
There is something immutably experienced and satisfying about sharing a place in time and space,😊 sharing a full sensory experience with other musicians and listeners which can’t be had in the presence of purely digital music.
I teached today at the conservatory new students and noticed this:
1. We live in very crazy times, towards a Blade Runner feel
2. Students come fresh, actually HUNGRY for deep dive in musical skills and knowledge that give them a SOURCE OF INCOME as well, togheter as fulfillment of their purpose.
3.Teachers and directors of instituitions don´t take this serious enough, or are not able to do it, for whatever the financial or bureacratical, political, reason.
CONSEQUENCE: The students and their hunger are DESTROYED from above, from those to whom they come with naivety asking for help. Music - togheter with other things - is being DESTROYED this way: from ABOVE. From a crucial incompetence and lack of seriousity, and idealism, from above.
IF this is the case in VIENNA. Imagine the rest of the world, when it comes to classical music!
Very thought provoking. Please discuss acoustic vs digital instruments; studio recorded vs live recorded music, Thank you.
I'll see if I can provide insights on this subject!
I agree as well. I’m just an amateur classical pianist. I’ve played for a number of years. I just recently achieved a life long dream of purchasing a Yamaha conservatory grand. The connection with it is amazing when playing. You feel like you’re inside and apart of the piano. I also have a digital piano, which is not a cheap instrument. But I get no joy in playing it. Analog is the way to go.
I have a Roland FP 10.I have been self teaching via TH-cam videos over the last two years almost. I have listened extensively to recordings by accomplished pianists of many of the great piano -based composers and many of the almost forgotten composers unearthed by a couple pianists online. I have been creating my own melodic compositions. I transitioned from the electric guitar in my youth to the classical guitar much later in life. I don’t have room nor the means to bring a piano up to my third floor flat. I am forcing myself not to buy the Roland DP603 which is my realistic dream for which I have the money already set aside. I want three of my compositions to be completed to a high level before I make the purchase. I take great influence in terms of Construction from Beethoven. When it comes to melodic refrain I take partial influence from Chopin to drift momentarily with a note or two in a dissonant manner before returning to the original harmonics of my melodies as I develop them in a similar way to Beethoven. Thought not a massive fan of Debussy and Satie I draw inspiration for the development of complexity of tones yet also the subtle omission of actual notes struck in preference for manipulation of the space between notes struck because this is where much of the music lies. Money no object, I would drop everything for a 9 foot Fazioli Grand piano. I mean, who wouldn’t? Sat on my Roland bench at my FP 10 perched on a Roland X stand and mostly playing via Roland semiopen headphones , I can play to my hearts content into the early hours of the morning. The time will come when I merit owning an acoustic piano but for now I must hone my craft on the realistic piano action and outstanding sounds of the FP 10 and soon to come DP603 that are more than adequate for a melodist who aspires to one-day play the piano with some aplomb!😊
I've been moving away from this world as I take computers and even electricity out of every part of my life that doesn't need it and taking back this creativity along with my rights to own and control my possessions which tech companies are taking away while most people say "I don't care" going as far as expressing they don't care because they won't be here when they have children and grandchildren being raised by brainrot content on youtube destroying their creativity before it can begin.
One of the reasons I won't upgrade my Dell Latitude D630 from 2007 is because of how tech companies are fighting to take away our creativity and ownership and I value the power of voting with your wallet which is the most effective way to bring back what we lost in the past. For this reason, I also decided not to buy a digital piano to play while restoring my actual piano that sounds like no piano you can get today.
Almost no one today knows what it was like when the music you listened to was what you created yourself and the whole song felt like the good part of an exceptionally good song that comes once in a while because you created the music yourself. This is what I'm moving towards as I play all my own instruments while only using modern technology where it belongs such as recording and mixing lossless music that can be copied unlimited amount of times with perfect quality and plan to put it into the public domain when I get good enough to make it as accessible as possible while modern music is forgotten as soon as a trend that keeps getting shorter ends.
A pattern of parents dumbing down the next generation of children is what I believe to be most responsible for this while the failed parents blame kids these days as the scapegoats for their own failed parenting and I'm already seeing my own generation (Gen Z) doing the same while letting cocomelon and other content designed to keep eyes glued to the screen for as long as possible on a phone or tablet at all times doing so much damage that kids grow up with less brain matter and are becoming unteachable which means almost no creativity at all.
I think there is a huge difference between consumers of recorded music and musicians. Most consumers will be content with music regardless of how it’s recorded - even eventually AI generated music.
However, musicians will still require physical instruments that involve them physically producing the sound- even if the sound is ultimately produced electronically such as digital pianos. There is something special about being able to play music rather than just listening to it.
Excellent video, Robert that begs a discussion beyond the confines of this video. I would say it’s a double edged sword as the saying goes for it but I believe it goes beyond that adage in its depth.
I wonder if someday the screen will completely replace the handcrafted wood instrument.
I doubt that digital sound reproduction, modeled or sampled apps on an iPad etc. will replace the tactile expression possible on a stringed instrument. The touch of the bow to a violin, the pick to the guitar string or the breath through the mouthpiece, all contribute to the experience. Piano - well, it IS huge, and a high-end digital piano can come close - AND give you the linked-together feel that is vital to quality musicianship. But the sax will survive...
Agree 100%. So far, it has been technology increasingly replacing art. The ultimate case of that is the music created by AI that may sound realistic but after listening to it for a while (like while waiting on hold on the phone), your brain starts to rebel. You can hear it in most modern pop music as technology has managed to give recycled songs a new life, just like all of those movie remakes featuring CGI. Eventually, most of us just tune them all out. Art cannot be contained. That is what has made it so subversive to power throughout history. It's like trying to hold water in our hands. Art finds a way to break through. Personally, I have retreated to classical and jazz even if I have to learn to play it myself. Poor substitute but the struggle makes me appreciate how good the true artists really are. We'll get through this.
The invention of the keyboard (and eventually the piano) was also a technological intrusion on creativity, E-sharp is not F natural, B-Sharp is not C natural, D-sharp is not E-flat. And yet we have mostly survived. So Apple got it wrong in tghinking the instruments make the music and I agree. We can find a way through this because at heart, the artist has something to say and will use whatever tool is at their disposal to say it. The real shame is in truncating the necessity for a large, full, tool box into one handy "100 in 1" multi-tool.
just sayin' as a creative in both music and art.
So true Robert!
I don't think we'll see a Simply Steinway piano soon.
We have ChatGP to write our words. How long will it be before we have a cold electronic device to write tomorrows musical classics?
AI music is getting better all the time!
So much paranoia below. There is more than enough room for both.
The irony is he’s obviously reading from an AI generated script 😂
AI can do it all. sure. Isn't it usually in the style of X?
I love your channel but dude you are so late to game. AI is taking over the arts
I am well aware of that. You can see the progression of how good AI video has become. AI music is getting there fast!
I completely agree! I love the creative touch that humans bring to the table. Sometimes in those little mistakes new ideas come forth. I’m not a pianist myself, but a guitarist/songwriter. Here’s an Original instrumental I wrote a while back. It was influenced by the times I spent at my grandmothers as a kid.
th-cam.com/video/gsODVEMDW0M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6XeA0KH4W-cnn677
So well presented Robert! I think any musician will agree about using the "tech" as a tool, not as a replacement for the soul. Just yesterday - there's a great example with Jon Batiste's version of Für Elise now on TH-cam (th-cam.com/video/-5YRhvH6Uys/w-d-xo.html). Even if he was playing a great digital piano, I don't think there would be the "resonance" (no pun intended) between performer and instrument.