The future of music? I hope not!

This may not be the end of the world... but you can sure as hell see it from here!

I know, I know... you might be thinking about that robot that plays Giant Steps including Coltrane's solo. If you haven't seen it, here, check this out:

Can you imagine, lets say in 25 years, watching a symphony of robots? Or going to The Blue Note in NYC and watching robots perform jazz.  There would be outrageous backlash of course, and in NYC especially.  But could it be considered "hip" if the jazz being performed was all original music created by a human?  Could they create an artificial intelligence program in which robots could improvise, say, possibly drawing from a hard-drive filled with an endless amount of jazz solos?  

Could you imagine sending your robot as a sub to a rehearsal that you just couldn't be bothered to be at?  Well, probably not, seeing that musicians aren't typically the richest folk... and of course, if this robot fantasy/nightmare (definitely, more of a nightmare) of mine were to come true, there would probably be less money and gigs to go around. 

The advancements in robotics - especially from both the Honda and Toyota camps - have come leaps and bounds (literally) from when they started in the late 1980's.  Some of the robots in Toyota's line, not seen in the video, include: a violinist, a "smart" wheelchair, and a robot that can run and dance.  Personally, I find the trumpet playing robot to be the scariest and most intriguing.  For both the saxophone and the violin, the apparatus needed for vibration is located externally.  However, a human (or so, I thought) embouchure is needed to play the trumpet.  This is what scares me the most.  Not only did Toyota simulate a trumpet players embouchure, but also, the robot actually is breathing!  Side note... is this good news for smokers?

Honda has taken a more positive approach towards building robots in my opinion.  One aspiration for their robot, "Asimo", was for it to be integrated into hospitals.  For example, "Asimo" could go from a surgery, take the elevator to another floor, collect items needed, and return to the operating room.  Saving lives rather than killing jazz sounds a lot better to me!

I'll leave you with this video that is definitely "pro-robot."  I will say however, my pessimistic attitude towards the robotic industry is aimed more towards Toyota and its line of musical robots.  Yeah, advancing technology is cool and great and all that... jazz, but where is the need for this musical robots?  I sure as hell hope there wouldn't be a demand.  Any thoughts?

- by sask4myopinion