OceanAndSilence

I seriously can't comprehend how anyone would think that a computer cannot qualify as an instrument. an instrument is just another name for "tool". all musical instruments are tools that musicians use. so, yes. a computer, with a program that creates sound, is a musical instrument. it's also many other things. most musical instruments are inanimate; they only create music with human interaction. a guitar leaning against the wall has the same musical usefulness as a powered off laptop, just as a table has the potential to create percussion by rapping your knuckles on it.

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Daktari

Hi there,

It seems you guys are missing the point here. To use the example that was just mentioned in the last post.

A table can be used to make music like 99% of everything else. The difference being that it was not designed to produce music as it's main function compared to a true musical instrument where the main design purpose is to help a musician play music. As mentioned earlier, many, many posts back, there is a difference between a potential musical instrument and an actual musical instrument. Simple.

Surely, it's not that complicated.

As far as I'm concened. I'm just trying to explain what should be an obvious common sense fact. As you say, it does take you folks who can't accept that to keep the discussion interesting. Real silly at times but I guess it's each to their own.

That's my last one on this. I have a whole week off work and the computer's gonna be off the whole time, (musical instrument or not.ha,ha...).

Cheers, Gordon.

OceanAndSilence

what is the difference between a "potential" musical instrument that would stop it from being able to create music not unlike an "actual" musical instrument? design or intent aside, it's being used musically. it's an INSTRUMENT used to create music. music is predicated by the sound of the instrument once used - there actually is no difference of input or output between a "potential" and an "actual" musical instrument - they both create sound when utilized, to serve the musician's purpose. your point is inconsequential. you are arguing about the intention of the tool upon its inception, not the validity of the tool itself. since every body seems to be asking hypothetical questions; what if a computer was created solely for the purpose of producing sound? what would make it more or less valid as a musical instrument - its intent, or use?

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