Tech Talk: Electronic Music from Barrel Organ to Garage Band

Learn how electronic and computer music came to be.

Meeting Times

Sun, 2/11/2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Sun, 2/11/2024

Closed

See additional date options »

About

Electronic Music is ubiquitous – synthesizers and electronic keyboards have taken their place as performance instruments alongside guitars, violins, trumpets, drums, and so on. Electronic emulations of orchestral and other instrumental sounds are heard everywhere, including film scores and TV theme music. The computer is now central to music creation – both composition and production. We even have smart phone apps offering us the power to “unleash our inner creativity” and create music. But what exactly is electronic and computer music?

Take a guided tour through the history and significant events of the development of electronic and computer music over the last century, from barrel organs (French mechanical instruments with bellows and pipes) to today's digital audio work stations. The last 50 years in particular provide an enlightening framework for understanding and showing how it fits into the grand scheme of all things musical. The tour will also reveal new ways that the world of sound and music-making can now be explored and enjoyed.

Details

Free but please register.

BARN Policies

View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy
View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.

Instructors or Guides

Dave Bristow

Born in London, Dave worked as a professional keyboard player recording and touring internationally with a variety of artists including Polyphony, June Tabor, and 2nd Vision. Active in synthesizer development, he played a central role voicing the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer and is internationally recognized as one of the important contributors to the development and voicing of FM synthesis. He ran a MIDI synthesis studio in Paris, and moved to the USA in the ‘90s to work for Emu Systems, Inc. on sampling and filter-based synthesizers. He worked with Yamaha developing ringtones and system alert sounds and taught electronic music production and synthesis at Shoreline Community College.