Is a Computer an Instrument?

crash_override · 09-17-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayvan Cowboy

Agreed

On an unrelated note:
To tell you the truth, crash, when I saw you posted in this thread after me, I was quite terrified, as I now feel that my post on Gameboys is good ground for flaming.

People use NES systems all the time to make music. I can't say I blame them, some of those old theme songs are incredible. It's such a distinct and recognizable sound. I'm sure you could use the Gameboy for the same thing if you knew what you were doing.

drummerchic2010 · 09-18-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash_override

People use NES systems all the time to make music. I can't say I blame them, some of those old theme songs are incredible. It's such a distinct and recognizable sound. I'm sure you could use the Gameboy for the same thing if you knew what you were doing.

yea they do. sometimes annoying sounds but your right. guess just all how you look at it.

Stone Birds · 09-23-2010, 07:20 AM

from the dictionary:

Quote:

musical instrument - any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds

i'm pretty sure computer can fall into that category

HVYMTLROCK · 09-23-2010, 08:45 AM

Anything can be used to produce music... That does not mean it is an instrument. Look at blue man group. Just because they use trash cans and sticks does not mean that the trash can is now an aluminum drum.... It is still a trash can...

Freebase Dali · 09-23-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HVYMTLROCK

Anything can be used to produce music... That does not mean it is an instrument. Look at blue man group. Just because they use trash cans and sticks does not mean that the trash can is now an aluminum drum.... It is still a trash can...

We're not asking whether a computer is a saxaphone...
Why can't people wrap their heads around the concept of what the word "instrument" actually means rather than what they associate with it?

Stone Birds · 09-23-2010, 05:59 PM

instrument means something that is used for a certain purpose

HVYMTLROCK · 09-24-2010, 06:10 AM

in·stru·ment
/ˈɪnstrəmənt/ Show Spelled[in-struh-muhnt] Show IPA
–noun
A contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument.

Here is the definition posted on the first entry. Read it.... Producing musical sound... A computer does not produce musical sound. It may produce music/noise via speakers but it is programmed to produce these sounds. Everything is coded and programmed on a computer for eventual output of some sort.... It is not an instrument....

**Janszoon** · 09-24-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HVYMTLROCK

in·stru·ment
/ˈɪnstrəmənt/ Show Spelled[in-struh-muhnt] Show IPA
–noun
A contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument.

Here is the definition posted on the first entry. Read it.... Producing musical sound... A computer does not produce musical sound. It may produce music/noise via speakers but it is programmed to produce these sounds. Everything is coded and programmed on a computer for eventual output of some sort.... It is not an instrument....

FYI: You have also just made the argument that synthesizers are not instruments.

HVYMTLROCK · 09-24-2010, 06:51 AM

What can I say? I like to argue! Hahahahaha

I guess I am just old fashioned in my thinking but I guess today's age can say that a computer is an instrument... I just don't think of it as a musical instrument.... It does not require the skill of a guitar player to know chords, modes and scales to produce different harmonies. Nor does it require the sweat of a drummer producing crazy breakdowns and off tempo rhythms.

**Janszoon** · 09-24-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HVYMTLROCK

What can I say? I like to argue! Hahahahaha

I guess I am just old fashioned in my thinking but I guess today's age can say that a computer is an instrument... I just don't think of it as a musical instrument.... It does not require the skill of a guitar player to know chords, modes and scales to produce different harmonies.

Sure it does. Knowledge of music theory is just as important/unimportant no matter what you're using to create music.

09-23-2010, 08:45 AM	#124 (permalink)
HVYMTLROCK Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Limbo aka Purgatory of Life Posts: 10	Anything can be used to produce music... That does not mean it is an instrument. Look at blue man group. Just because they use trash cans and sticks does not mean that the trash can is now an aluminum drum.... It is still a trash can... __________________ Since the day you cut my throat.... I've learned to smile from my neck!

09-23-2010, 05:59 PM	#126 (permalink)
Stone Birds myspace.com/stonebirdies Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conor Oberst Was/is Here Posts: 1,401	instrument means something that is used for a certain purpose __________________ Silk & Tree Records //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V soundcloud.com/stonebirds [Link removed by mod, no advertising] ... Damn those mods are always gettin ya :)

09-24-2010, 06:10 AM	#127 (permalink)
HVYMTLROCK Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Limbo aka Purgatory of Life Posts: 10	in·stru·ment /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ Show Spelled[in-struh-muhnt] Show IPA –noun A contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument. Here is the definition posted on the first entry. Read it.... Producing musical sound... A computer does not produce musical sound. It may produce music/noise via speakers but it is programmed to produce these sounds. Everything is coded and programmed on a computer for eventual output of some sort.... It is not an instrument.... __________________ Since the day you cut my throat.... I've learned to smile from my neck!

09-24-2010, 06:51 AM	#129 (permalink)
HVYMTLROCK Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Limbo aka Purgatory of Life Posts: 10	What can I say? I like to argue! Hahahahaha I guess I am just old fashioned in my thinking but I guess today's age can say that a computer is an instrument... I just don't think of it as a musical instrument.... It does not require the skill of a guitar player to know chords, modes and scales to produce different harmonies. Nor does it require the sweat of a drummer producing crazy breakdowns and off tempo rhythms. __________________ Since the day you cut my throat.... I've learned to smile from my neck!