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Klarinet Archive - Posting 000022.txt from 1996/04
From: Belanger Steven D <3sdb4@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: computer programs
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 16:18:04 -0500
On Fri, 29 Mar 1996, Nancy Engebretson wrote:
> The music department in our high school is considering a program called
> "Vivace".
> It plays an accompanyment with a soloist. Has anyone every used it? What
> did you think? Did you use the one with piano or orchestral accompanyment?
> Did you use it on a Macintosh or PC computer.
>
> Are there any other programs available like this for either the Mac or PC?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Nancy E.
>
We here in the cold, cold north (Queen's University, Kingston, CANADA)
have had an opportunity to test the VIVACE program. We had a
representative/salesperson visit the school of music to set up a
workshop/lab dealing with the program.
So far it's only compatible with Mac but I think PC will be incorporated
eventually. (We used a laptop Mac)
We had a wide variety of instrumentalists "perform" as part of the
seminar, simulating both good and bad rehearsals with live accompanists.
The basic premise is this: you hook up a microphone to your
lapel/jacket/shirt/whatever (the bell is not a good suggestion, simply
because of the saliva problem) and you start. If you want to tune, you
play a note and the computer screen will simulate a tuner. To start the
piece, you can either have the computer count you in (with metronome
clicks) or you just leave it up to the computer to follow you.
The most interesting aspect about this program is that you can control
the degree of rigidity that the computer assumes as an accompanist. If
you want to practice your technical control, you set it to a low
percentage. If you enjoy driving your regular accompanists nuts with
extreme rubato (or you are just rhythmically inept) you set to program it
to 100%. This allows you to perform with complete rhythmic flexibility,
and gives you a margin of error when it comes to counting.
I looked through the catalogue that listed the repertoire that was
available. There was a large variety of pieces for every orchestral
instrument, ranging in difficulty from the earliest period of study to
the more advanced player (most of the standards). For the beginner, you can
purchase "cartridges" that are programmed with numerous accompaniments
(ie. all of the solos from a particular band method, or collections such as
_Solos for the Clarinet Player_). The more advanced pieces are sold
individually. The piece that is experimented with was the Mozart concerto -
from what I understand, you can fluctuate at your leisure between a piano
accompaniment or an orchestral one, simply by changing something in the
menu. As far as I know, the repertoire cartridges are sold with both
types of accompaniment.
I am not a VIVACE salesman. I am sure that some of my information may be
inaccurate (or at least grossly lacking in detail), but I hope I have
given you an overview of the program. Contact any major music potpourri
dealer and I'm sure they will have more to say.
Steve B.
P.S. I believe that the makers of VIVACE are currently working on a model
that is suitable for vocalists.
