HOME E-Mail:lmcintyre@indy.rr.com
In the late 1990's, my high school piano students got
after me. They sat me down and informed me that they are not all getting
music technology information in their school music classes. They tell
me they are among the largest group of surfers on the net and I need to pay
attention! They say sometimes they learn more about electronics and music
fiddling-around on their synths and computers at home, than in piano lessons
or in music education classes. They say give them a page where they can
go and they don't have to wade through the boring stuff on technical sites,
or feel talked down to on a juvenile page. So, here it is. A page
for you; mighty teens who make up the majority of surfers every afternoon.
I will look through e-mail regularly for sites and topics you want to see here.
Have fun and don't forget to practice:-)
Teen Music Trivia
The surf's up and the word is out about MIDI and synths. Speaking of which, did you know that the Beach Boys song (a band from the 60's and 70's), "Good Vibrations" uses one of the earliest electronic instruments called the "Theremin", invented in 1919? Inventor Leon Theremin was born in the 19th century and just died in 1993! Can you imagine inventing one of the earliest electronic musical instruments and then live through almost the entire 20th century to witness first hand how electronics has changed music? If you want to see what a "Theremin" looks like and how it works, go to The Theremin Home Page .
If you want
to build your own Theremin at home, this site tells of a kit offered
by PAIA Electronics(Click on: PAiA:
Theremax theremin ).
This sight also has a download wav.file so you can hear
what it sounds like!
MIDI Connections
Hey, do you have an electronic keyboard with MIDI capability? It's in your bedroom? Well, you're at your computer now, so is that in the same room? Run out and spring ten bucks for a little ol' cable and you're whole family is in for hours of fun. Or, just order what you need (probably a cable and MIDI Interface) from MARS - THE MUSICIAN'S PLANET.over the net. Mars is a fun place to go into in "real time". They even sell special effect smoke for rock bands.
Now all
you need is software. You're better off with a good music source rather
than a computer store. The best catalog I've seen so far is J.W.Pepper's
Music Technology Catalog Pepper Music Network
- Printed Music of All Publishers . I think they have just released
their second issue. There are great descriptions of most music software
available for both platforms, MAC and IBM. It's even possible to burn
your own CD's at home for less than 600 dollars. I wore out the pages
on my catalog. I am especially impressed with the new program "Sibelius"
if you want the latest and smartest notation software. It even comes with
a music scanner.
Joke Book
"Why do
jazz players have to get up at 4:30?" Click on FarOut982
for that answer and other knee slappers (Well, sort of).
MIDI Downloads
Go here
to download classical MIDI piano music you can hear on your own computer.
Make sure to go to its Home Page,too. This is an award winning site!
The Piano Education Page
- The Audition Room .
Improvisation and Composing
Do you like
to compose? Well, you have something in common with Mozart and Beethoven.
They were master composers because they were fabulous at improvising.
We can always benefit from lessons. If you aren't taking lessons, but
want to, you might find a teacher in your area by clicking here: MusicStaff
Music Teacher, Music Lesson Search
.
Collecting
Love classical
music? Want to know where or how to begin a collection? Then go
to another room on this site:
Do you parent's drag you into antique malls looking stuff? Well, start your own collection of music related antiques and collectibles.