a good example of technology making things ‘simpler’ would be making scores. because of notation programs like finale and sibelius there is no real reason to handwrite a score anymore even though the slower and more intimate pace of writing with pen and ink might have led to a more cerebral and finely crafted composition, I’m perfectly happy delaying the creation of the “inked score” as long as possible by spending the time i have gained on improvisation and performance through a lengthy period of pencil and paper sketches.

I am excited that we can access, adapt, and create music so easily.

I worry that we put our headphones in and isolate ourselves. I worry that music becomes so “easy” that we forget the work and the effort.

in many ways i think that the digital synthesis revolution was deferred because it was so expensive and complicated to program. the keyboard synth entered as temporary solution to be basically “plug and play” but as you know the tradeoff was pretty steep.

i have been having a lot of fun (and learning quite a bit) by experimenting with all the iphone and ipad apps out there. there are so many great ideas and variations and it makes me feel like we are in the early baroque when the key placement and construction of the early woodwind instruments varied so much around europe.

i’m going to write more on this in another post later but here are a few apps that are worth trying out.

1. scruti box (drone generator)

2. thumbjam and slide control (kaossillator type controllers that are midi)
pianist pro (very customizable and useful if a piano isn’t around, you can also plug in a small keyboard to run these sounds and makes a very portable solution with a small amp

3. beatpad (mpc style 4×4 grid controller, playing it convinced me to buy the maschine i was playing in the video)

4. polychord/soundprism: two very different and interesting approaches to playing harmonies

5.pattern music: my favorite improv device and step sequencer

these days most of the apps are also midi so you can sync them via wifi to your computer and run whatever sounds you want from your DAW.

overall i really like that i can use my ipad and iphone wherever i want to write and improvise ideas. on top of that it is getting easier everyday to integrate them into performing, but in general i don’t think the performing on a touchscreen will ever be a big part of my live show.