Module 8: My Age of Technology

Technology has been a huge influence in my upbringing, with particularly the Internet. The birth of the Internet wasn't to long before I was born in 1995. With the years, came better modifications, making it user friendly and convenient. I remember how foreign it seemed when in the third grade, we had our computer class time where we were exposed to how to use the Internet. Previously, even without Internet access or familiarity, just computers alone served as a motivating and resourceful learning tool. My childhood computer background consisted of interactive, cartoon computer games. Most of the programs were Sesame Street themed, specific to alphabet, numbers, design or coordination. One key detail I can recall in relation to the need for computers now is how dependent we have become compared to when I was younger. Then, it served merely as an entertainment option, with a few beneficial educational factors, but didn't dominate my free time. The purpose for computers progressed as I got older, with more challenging programs and eventually the Internet in mid-elementary. 

Computers are so integrated into our society, that owning one and knowing how to use it proficiently, is the key to academic success. Computers give simple access to being successful at the skills you wish to obtain. I have a personally relevant  example that has been well supported by computer availability.  

The biggest influence has been with my music career. I take for granted the effortless ability to search anything on the Internet. My most common use has been for finding free sheet music. Sometimes, it would just be for fun like fiddles, movie soundtracks or church music. And conveniently I could even find the original classical music I needed, most reliable at  imslp.org. Most of the times it was for quartet music, which didn't seem as pertinent to purchase, for the reasons that it was for a temporary gig or performance. But sometimes I could "test drive" a piece to deem it worthy of obtaining a hard copy. That's where the internet came in handy again. Rather than driving to a music store, to search for a concerto that they might not even have in stock, you can order it online to be delivered at your home. My favorite shop, Day Murray Music, usually has everything, but unfortunately is located a little south of Salt Lake City. I find it inconvenient in time and gas, even for an important violin lesson. I noticed through my last purchase of Vitali's Chaconne violin concerto, that it wasn't even in stock at the shop, which would have made for much chasing back and forth. The internet also helped with making my decision on which concerto to learn in the first place. I had three options for my next piece and am not that familiar with every work of classical music. So once I was at a computer, I simple searched the various pieces on YouTube. Many times I have simply searched for an audio example of solo pieces, quartets and symphony performances to familiarize and inform myself with what I am working on in school. I find it much harder to browse a libraries selections or purchase each piece. Along with audio advantages of a computer, is the benefit of recording my self and storing in on my PC as well. I can have access to playing back my personal audio to critic or document for reflection later on. With the advancement of my music training, I have needed a few sources of insight when my teachers unintentionally failed in teaching a certain concept or just needed extra examples. For example, a couple of times I needed to perform a particular technique requiring ricochet bowing, and didn't get a very clear demonstration at lessons. I found a particular sight with professional videos of anything at violinmasterclass.com. In my theory class, we have progressed to writing compositions. I trained with a well known, professional program for music notation called Finale, but didn't have $600 to spend quite yet, especially as a beginner. I found a free notation program that suits my assignments and personal writing just fine with MuseScore.