Thomas J. West Music

The following article is from guest author Lindsey Wright:

Computers have enhanced how we live, changed how we think, and altered how we create. While digital art and animation have become commonplace in popular culture, there are numerous ways that computers have altered the landscape of sound as well. Thanks to new software developments and applications and even the advent of learning environments like online college courses, music can now be practiced, studied, and produced all from the comfort of home. Even those with little musical talent will find that with technology it’s possible to create beautiful music, edit original compositions, and study the art of melody-making. With a host of websites and applications available directly over the Internet, even the least musically inclined among us can become a basement Beethoven.

 

Learning Music Online

 

It’s not as difficult to gain an understanding of music as you might imagine. Whether you want to learn to read sheet music or play an instrument, it’s possible to master the basics and set yourself on the path to music-making bliss with the helping hand of the Internet. A wealth of tools exist online to make music mastery as simple as sitting down and logging on.

 

For those interested in learning to read music, it’s possible to go beyond the basics thanks to an army of online tutors. MakeUseOf features a list of some of the best sites on the Web for students eager to learn to read music. Their listings include everything from the basics covered by a WikiHow article to the interactive assistance of sites like Ricci Adams’ MusicTheory.net, which lets users go beyond basic note-reading skills to understand rhythm, chords, and timing.

 

CNET.com offers an insightful article detailing a number of ways students can learn to play instruments online. Focusing on two of the most popular instruments of rock ‘n roll, the guitar and the drums, the article offers a list of several websites and applications that can help first-time musicians to develop their musical skills and support experienced instrumentalists in their continued practice.

 

Online Music Tools

 

Digital Audio Editors

 

Digital audio editors are programs that allow you to manipulate and alter sound. Typically, they’re used for recording music, editing recordings for time and mix quality, converting audio file formats, and enhancing audio through the application of effects. Many people expect digital audio editors to cost a bundle, but there are actually a number of highly effective audio editors available for free. Some of the best are discussed at Hongkiat.com, a site dedicated to online development tips for designers and bloggers.

 

Among Hongkiat’s top picks are the recording and splicing capacity of Audacity, and the cut, copy, paste simplicity of Music Editor Free. Another program, Wavosaur, allows you to process audio data in WAV and MP3 files and includes a batch conversion feature so that you can make all of your music compatible. For those truly interested in professional quality, there are also offerings such as Traverso DAW, whose interface is easy to use but yields excellent results. With all of these audio editors, it’s possible for even the musically challenged or the true amateur to create beautifully arranged and polished musical compositions.

 

Techno-Instruments

 

You don’t have to invest in a keyboard, guitar, or drum set to learn how to create music on them. In fact, thanks to virtual instruments it’s possible to learn how to play nearly every type of musical instrument imaginable without ever putting down your laptop. For instance, at VirtualMusicalInstruments.com, it’s possible to play the usual instruments, including the drums, guitar, and piano, but the site also offers users the chance to work with unusual instruments like bongo drums and the pan flute.

 

While it’s not possible to learn the intricate finger-work necessary to play specific guitar chords without an actual guitar, one can still develop an understanding of how the strings work together to create sound without ever picking up an instrument. What’s more, these virtual instruments provide users the ideal opportunity to learn the basic skills they’ll need to play before ever taking a lesson. True, it’s very difficult to learn to play Mozart on a piano without professional instruction, but you can master simpler compositions. 

 

Computer Composers

 

Becoming a true composer is no longer just for those fortunate enough to study music theory and arrangement at exclusive conservatories. In fact, a host of websites are now dedicated to teaching you how to compose new music. One of the best is Noteflight, which offers budding composers the opportunity to write music on their computers, print it off, and even to listen to music playback. The basic version of the application is free and allows you to store up to 10 compositions at a time, but users whose creative impulses demand additional storage space and an impressive array of instrument choices can opt for Noteflight’s big brother, Crescendo, which costs $7.95 a month.

 

For those whose musical taste runs more to rock ‘n roll, JamStudio.com offers veteran composers and note-reading newbies alike the chance to experiment with a variety of instrument choices, note combinations, and music styles. As the music of JamStudio featured artists can attest, this easy-to-use site can help musicians to create professional compositions in a variety of genres. Best of all, it’s free.

 

The advent of online learning signaled a change in how music is created and how it’s learned. No longer must you seek out the assistance of a professional to learn how to play or compose music. Instead, you can learn the basics online. Likewise professionals can now compose even when on the subway or waiting at the doctor’s office, thanks to the possibilities opened up by digital audio editing and digital composition tools. Making music, which once required tactile finesse and a good ear, is now open to anyone who has the desire to create and learn.

Lindsey Wright is fascinated with the potential of emerging educational technologies, particularly the online school, to transform the landscape of learning. She writes about web-based learning, electronic and mobile learning, and the possible future of education.