Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!cunixf.cc.columbia.edu!cunixb.cc.columbia.edu!ta-wvb From: ta-wvb@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Rick Bassett) Newsgroups: comp.music Subject: Re: Definition of "computer music" Message-ID: <1991Feb27.135214.21113@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> Date: 27 Feb 91 13:52:14 GMT References: <1991Feb26.083810.27113@ccu.umanitoba.ca> <17011@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> Sender: usenet@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (The Network News) Reply-To: ta-wvb@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Rick Bassett) Organization: Columbia University Lines: 27 Nntp-Posting-Host: cunixb.cc.columbia.edu In article eiverson@nmsu.edu (Eric Iverson) writes: >In article <17011@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> cpenrose@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Christopher Penrose) writes: > > Here is my definition proper: > > Computer music is a label for audio signals that were in some way > affected by computer technology. > >Hmmm...that would mean most telephone conversations qualify as >computer music. What about RF noise interference from a PC? >Actually, the Altair *did* use this to create music, but I hardly >think that most RF noise qualifies. What about the sound of a PC >falling of a desk? That's a sound that's affected by computer >technology. > >I believe a more specific definition is in order. > I'm happy with the above definition, since it's clear and simple. Any attempts to weed telephone conversations and PC's falling off desks out of the category of "computer music" brings us back to the age-old and unresolvable debate of "what is music?". Music, like beauty, is in the eyes and ears of the beholder. After a long night of work, the sound of a computer falling off a desk could be music to my ears! Rick Bassett rick@woof.columbia.edu ta-wvb@cunixb.columbia.edu