electronics replacing pianos?

[Joseph Alkana]

Ric,
Seems as though you're presenting the age old sequel of need, invention, 
acceptance, social relevance, refinement, re-enforcement, standard of use, 
decline and replacement, nostalgic re-introduction, historical footnote.

Where are we in this saga? I would think somewhere closer to re-enforcement, 
where multiple ideas with multiple solutions are, in fact, being tried and 
used everyday in regards to electronic production of sound.

It wasn't that long ago that Tomita pretty well defined a genre with his 
music on the synthesizer. Now the barriers that were breached by those early 
beginnings are being surpassed everyday by more complex instruments, musical 
idioms and musicians capable of evoking a favorable response from an ever 
growing audience.

We're a long way from the ultimate evolution of electronic musical devices, 
and this century will see the rise of piano-like instruments and other 
creations that will greatly expand the musical landscape. It is only natural 
to assume that history will ever repeat itself and even those yet undreamed 
of  devices will be replaced by further advances in technology, only to fall 
from favor and be replaced by more exotic devices, ad infinitum.

Will there be room in the musical circus for historical instruments of our 
time? Can we look back on the changing scenarios of yesterday for 
comparison? Will we continue to pursue a narrow spectrum of now historical 
musical literature as the only defining criteria for "serious" music?

 The forces that dictate change will always be a varied lot. Materials for 
production of traditional instruments, like the piano, may fall into 
jeopardy due to rising costs, ecological concerns and incentives for profit. 
Add in the composer's palate of tonal colors available in the future for 
electronic production and the musical vista looks very broad, indeed. The 
piano represents only a tiny slice of the musical pie today. I don't see it 
getting larger in future as the market now exists. Then of course we have 
always the acceptance factor of our future musical audiences. What will they 
like? What will they be able to demand? How will their musical itch be 
scratched? Might future audiences be more involved in the creative process 
of music? Will there be more interaction with other media? Should I pass on 
my tuning hammer to the next generation? :-)

Sorry, I just have questions, not much in the way of answers. But I sure 
wish I could be around to see how some of my questions are going to get 
answered!
Joseph Alkana RPT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RicB" <ricb at pianostemmer.no>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:42 PM
Subject: electronics replacing pianos?


> David A... Joe... all you guys I like so very much...
>
> Great posts, full of good vibes and enthusiasms...  In particular I like 
> the reoccurring call  to taking the high road.
> But I am still sitting here missing an answer to a perhaps uncomfortable 
> but perhaps very relevant question... one that we all may have to face in 
> increasing degree sooner then we may think.
> IF.... one first accepts for the moment that an electronic based replica 
> of an acoustic piano could be made so as to be indiscernible in every 
> acoustic and touch sense of the word... what would be so bad about 
> this.... indeed.... what would the consequences be good / bad / or neither 
> ?
>
> Such an instrument could do many many things present day pianos cannot. 
> For example play in any and all temperaments at the flick of an eyebrow. 
> Indeed... one could program the thing to real time update its temperament 
> so as to achieve pure thirds or fifths or anything one likes no mater what 
> the key center is or how far one wanders from it in the course of any 
> given piece.  Actually the possibilities for what an such an instrument 
> could do would be virtually boundless.
>
> I seem to be getting a sense that some of you find an unattractiveness to 
> this simply based on the implicit loss of the present day instrument.
>
> But what conflict is there in the pursuit of the high road of excellence 
> if ones goal is the realistic realization of such an electronic 
> replication of the acoustic world... or the rest of it for that matter ?
> We can discuss back and forth how far virtual realities can go in 
> recreating real reality... but for my part I have no doubt that the day is 
> coming where all things real will be indiscernible with all things 
> virtually real. Humans if they are anything, are extremely clever 
> tinkerers.  As a general rule... when first an idea is spawned it is only 
> a question of time before we see it become a reality.  And herein lies the 
> real questions of import IMHO.  Just where the hell are we going by 
> welcoming this virtual world with far more then open arms then many of us 
> seem to want to admit ?
>
> Just some thoughts from the other side of the fence... by one who loves 
> the acoustic piano every much as bit as all of you.
>
> Cheers
> RicB
>
>
>