Is a Computer an Instrument?

Freebase Dali · 11-06-2010, 01:45 PM

I don't think the strict definition of something really matters. Especially when it comes to music. If you stretch out a bunch of rubber bands and play them, and use them in a song, you can call it whatever you want but it's still performing the same function as any other more traditional "instrument", which is the use of a tool to create music. Ultimately, I think that's what an "instrument" is defined as. The rest is semantics.

David Graey · 11-06-2010, 03:26 PM

Dali has an excellent point. Repurposing other items to use in the creation of music doesn't somehow negate the fact that the way instrument is defined is in the product. So, according to the definition, anything that creates something that qualifies as music is an instrument.
So that old joke that your overweight grandpa tells about 'The only instrument I play the radio' hyuck hyuck hyuck is actually... valid.

projectriceco · 11-07-2010, 07:13 PM

it CAN be an instrument, but for the most part a computer could be anything, really.

**Janszoon** · 11-07-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectriceco

it CAN be an instrument, but for the most part a computer could be anything, really.

It can't be a pineapple.

ThePhanastasio · 11-07-2010, 08:23 PM

I don't see why a computer can't be considered an instrument. People are able to use software and such on it in order to make music, so that seems to classify it as an instrument to me.

I'm sure that when people came out with instruments like the synthesizer and the theremin, purists probably found them to be somehow "lesser" than other instruments and didn't consider them as such because they were electronic.

Just how I see it.

cozypowell · 11-07-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectriceco

it CAN be an instrument, but for the most part a computer could be anything, really.

Its not what we think of , when the musical instrument comes into your mind..
I mean there's no orchestra of computers, or bands of computers..
to me personally its not

Kaimon · 11-07-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozypowell

Its not what we think of , when the musical instrument comes into your mind..
I mean there's no orchestra of computers, or bands of computers..
to me personally its not

You've obviously never heard of the Stanford Laptop Orchestra.

Personally, I consider a computer as an instrument. And a very innovative one at that.

Freebase Dali · 11-08-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozypowell

Its not what we think of , when the musical instrument comes into your mind..
I mean there's no orchestra of computers, or bands of computers..
to me personally its not

While super convenient, simply relying on connotation to define everything is pretty narrow if you ask me...

~~Dirty~~ · 11-08-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

While super convenient, simply relying on connotation to define everything is pretty narrow if you ask me...

I see what you're saying but I don't think we need to analyze and get technical about everything. It's like in the 'Is Meat Murder' thread. Technically people are animals... but when i hear the word 'animal' I don't think of people. I think of dogs or cows or whatever. And when I think of a computer, the word 'instrument' never really enters my mind and vice versa. But if I would hear 'trombone' or 'guitar' then I'd think of 'instrument' almost immediately if it's a word-association thing

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 11-08-2010, 12:08 PM

Hmmm... I remember reading something about how Aphex Twin won a talent show as a child by glitching a television to make music with some sort of computer.

Also, theoretically, you could use the processer beeps to make music.

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11-06-2010, 01:45 PM	#141 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	I don't think the strict definition of something really matters. Especially when it comes to music. If you stretch out a bunch of rubber bands and play them, and use them in a song, you can call it whatever you want but it's still performing the same function as any other more traditional "instrument", which is the use of a tool to create music. Ultimately, I think that's what an "instrument" is defined as. The rest is semantics.

11-06-2010, 03:26 PM	#142 (permalink)
David Graey Groupie Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: CO Posts: 11	Dali has an excellent point. Repurposing other items to use in the creation of music doesn't somehow negate the fact that the way instrument is defined is in the product. So, according to the definition, anything that creates something that qualifies as music is an instrument. So that old joke that your overweight grandpa tells about 'The only instrument I play the radio' hyuck hyuck hyuck is actually... valid.

11-07-2010, 07:13 PM	#143 (permalink)
projectriceco Groupie Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 5	it CAN be an instrument, but for the most part a computer could be anything, really.

11-07-2010, 08:23 PM	#145 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	I don't see why a computer can't be considered an instrument. People are able to use software and such on it in order to make music, so that seems to classify it as an instrument to me. I'm sure that when people came out with instruments like the synthesizer and the theremin, purists probably found them to be somehow "lesser" than other instruments and didn't consider them as such because they were electronic. Just how I see it.

11-08-2010, 12:08 PM	#150 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Hmmm... I remember reading something about how Aphex Twin won a talent show as a child by glitching a television to make music with some sort of computer. Also, theoretically, you could use the processer beeps to make music.