On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 4:15 AM, Paul G. Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> James G. Sack (jim) wrote:
>>
>> Probably everybody saw the video of a computer-controlled clarinet a few
>> days ago, but here's a little bit more info about the computer-end.
>>
>>
>> http://www.computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/06/19/linux-powered-clarinet-playing-robot-wins-prize
>>
>> Of note: includes 2 Gumstix boards.
>
> Having played for many years (I would still play if my extremely expensive
> clarinet hadn't been stolen), I would like to see a video or at least hear
> how it sounds. Pretty impressive though that it could play something that
> they claim is music (I've heard students play "music" that made me want to
> shoot myself in the head! :o ).

Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAIeTm4lO5Q

I play as well (sorry to hear of your loss... what make/model was
it?), and I'm very impressed by the machine. The tone is hardly
expressive, but it's very technically accurate. The coolest part is
just that they got a machine to vibrate the reed properly at all.
That's not easy, even for a human.

I was amused by the article to which Jim linked... the inventor
mentions a few problems they had (complicated jumps, certain notes
hard to play cold) that are among the most difficult things for even a
human clarinetist to get right. I'd say that the machine plays with
the fingerwork of a professional but the tone and expression of a
second- or third-year student.

-- 
Brad Beyenhof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://augmentedfourth.com
Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to
avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.
 ~ Sydney Smith, English essayist and preacher (1771-1845)


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