Computer help for music students

SmartMusic is a software programme

By Hugh Schofield

Frustrated music students who find that the loneliness of the practice-room is sapping their desire to play have help at hand, thanks to a new computer-aided training system being launched in the UK.

Patented by an American company, and already a major success in the United States, SmartMusic is a software programme that allows an instrumentalist to enjoy the benefits of a professional accompaniment as he or she rehearses a set piece.

Unlike conventional "play-along" systems that are available on CD, SmartMusic actually follows the player, adjusting to their tempo, listening for changes and pausing for mistakes.

All the student has to do is clip on a microphone, and then - on the computer screen - adjust a sliding "sensitivity" scale.

The computer will then play a piano or other accompaniment for a repertoire of more than 20,000 pieces stored in its memory.

Dialogue

"Using play-along tapes is a bit like playing football with a team that always makes the same passes," said Sean Lafleur, from Paris-based MakeMusic! - one of the world's leading suppliers of software for musicians.

"But music isn't like that - it's about listening. It's a dialogue, not a monologue.

The children love it and the quality is excellent

Helen Baker, British Flute Society

"Every teacher knows that main reason why children give up instruments is that they hate practising. This makes practising fun," he said.

In the United States, where the system was launched in 2001, SmartMusic now has more than a thousand school subscriptions - and many more private ones - and is increasingly used by students preparing for grade exams.

It has been endorsed by such well-known figures as trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and flautist James Galway.

According to Galway, it is the "most important musical invention since the electric guitar."

'Morale-booster'

So far only a few tutors in Britain have discovered the system, but those that have are equally enthusiastic.

According to Helen Baker, a flute teacher from Ely who is also education representative for the British Flute Society, SmartMusic not only makes solo playing more fun for her students, it is also a great morale-booster.

"An act of immense self-discipline is required when a young person enters a room on their own, to practise by themselves for an hour.

The system encourages pupils, teachers say

"But now they genuinely have someone - something - to accompany them," she said.

"The children love it and the quality is excellent. It sounds good, so the pupil is encouraged - and it adjusts to accommodate their weaknesses, which is just what a real accompanist would do.

"As far as I am concerned, anything that gets them to enjoy playing is a good thing," she said.

SmartMusic's repertoire is constantly being updated as MakesMusic! acquires copyright for published music, but it already contains many standard works for woodwind, horn and strings that are required for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams.

The programme also contains several other features, including a metronome, tuner, scale exercises, key transposition for jazz improvisations, a recording system - and an audio e-mail facility for sending in homework.