Random access: looking back to the future: examining how we communicate.

I have been writing about "new" technology in the music and music education fields for more than 20 years. At times, the fast pace of change has confused the issue of what is new and what isn't.

For example, I--like many music teachers--have found it amazingly convenient to search for and to order music on the Internet. It can save a lot of time and can often produce faster results than the traditional alternatives. Some of us have been purchasing music in this way for a few years now.

Yesterday, I showed the mother of one of my students how to do this. We searched for a piece at www.google.com, found a site that not only sold the music but gave us a visual preview (so we could determine that it was the right level), and completed the transaction in less than 5 minutes. Although my student's mother was vaguely aware of the possibility of ordering online, the experience of doing it for the first time meant that this concept was really new as far as she was concerned. And, she was both amazed and thrilled at the result.

As this example illustrates, the concept of "being new" is really a relative matter. More troublesome for me, however, is that the concept of "being futuristic" has become just as difficult to pin down.

"Futuristic" Ways to Teach and Communicate

I wrote a column titled, "I'll See You Later!: Teaching Long Distance, Star Trek Style," for the December/January 2003/2004 AMT. In that article, I spoke about the possibilities of teaching long distance using the Internet and video conferencing hardware and software.

The reference to Star Trek was deliberate. The various Star Trek shows take place hundreds of years in the future when person-to-person, long distance, visual communication is routine. In 2003, I was excited to be able to write about such futuristic possibilities that seemed to loom on our horizon.

As I look back on that article, I find that the future that I described is now in my past! Various teachers that I know are now using the Internet for effective, personal, real-time communication--and even for teaching!

Technology EVERYONE Can Use

Before going further, let me assure you that our discussion involves technology that everyone can use. In fact, video conferencing is increasingly being used by senior citizens--a group of individuals not usually associated with the adoption of cutting-edge technology.

Free, Personal, Effective Communication

What we're talking about here is video conferencing: the ability to place a "call" using your computer. Imagine that you can use your computer like a telephone and call anyone, anywhere in the world at no charge. Imagine, further, that you can see the other person during the call--if you wish--and have a face-to-face conversation. This has become such an easy thing to do that many people are jumping onto the video conferencing bandwagon.

Why is this useful? Let's look at some reasons:

* Perhaps you live miles away from your grandchildren, and you want to watch them grow up. This may not be a musical application of the technology, but it is the number one reason so many seniors are now using video conferencing.

* In addition to watching the grandchildren grow up, maybe you would like to watch and listen to them play their instruments. Perhaps you would even like to give them a lesson now and then. I know one influential piano pedagogue--Paul Sheftel--who is doing just that, teaching three of his grandchildren piano over the Internet.

If the foregoing scenarios resonate a bit with you, I am sure you can think of many other situations for which this type of personal communication would apply. So, let's move on and find out how easy it is to do.

What You Need to Know

Let's get down to the essential elements right away. Fortunately, you may already have most of the things that you need:

* A reasonably modern Windows (XP or Vista) or Macintosh (OS X 10.3 or later) computer

* Broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL, T1)

* Webcam (USB 2.0 or Firewire) connected to the computer or built into the monitor (preferably with an auto-focus feature)

* Computer-compatible microphone or computer with a built-in mic

* A free Skype (www.skype.com), iChat (www.apple.com/ichat), or MSN Messenger (www.msn.com) account

* Optional second camera for switching to a side view (assuming you are teaching using video conferencing)

* Audio headset (to avoid echo when using Skype and possibly MSN Messenger)

If you have the hardware and the broadband Internet connection, you need to sign up for a free account with Skype, iChat or MSN. It is true that there are other programs available. However, these are free--when used for computer-to-computer communication--and effective. (Skype also has some options that cost money if you wish to use your computer to call or receive calls from traditional telephones.)

Once you have set up an account, you will be given a "screen name." Any of your friends or students who set up an account will also be given a screen name. All you need to do is add their names to your on-screen "buddy list," at which point initiating a call is a simple matter of clicking a button next to one of the names in the list.

Surmountable Challenges

There are a couple of challenges that do arise when setting up video conferencing. For starters, MSN Messenger is PC-only and iChat is mostly Mac-only (it also connects with the inferior AOL Instant Messenger for Windows). Skype, however, supports both platforms.

The second most frequent issue is that of echo. iChat has excellent echo-cancellation, which means that you can talk into a microphone and hear the other person using computer speakers. Skype, and to a lesser extent MSN Messenger, can have trouble with echo in this situation. If your video conferences suffer from echo, (1) separate microphones from speakers as much as possible, (2) turn down the volume on the speaker, (3) use a headset (for example, an earpiece with boom mic) as an alternative.

Lastly, some schools and businesses go out of their way to block certain kinds of Internet communications using an Internet "firewall." If this is a problem for you, have a chat with the friendly IT (Information Technology) person who manages the business or school network. He or she may be willing to determine what "ports" must be opened for these programs to work and may decide that they can be opened without exposing the network to risk.

Where Are We Headed Now?

In my studio, my piano (a Mark IV Disklavier) is also online. I am now experimenting with giving long distance lessons in which my piano is connected to my student's piano. As my student plays, the keys and pedals move on my piano in the exact same way, as thought the student was in the room. Using iChat, I both watch and talk to my student.

As I mentioned in the previous article, times are changing!

George Litterst is a nationally known music educator, clinician, author and performer. As a software developer, Litterst is the co-author of the intelligent accompaniment program, Home Concert Xtreme, and the electronic music blackboard program, Classroom Maestro, from TimeWarp Technologies (www.timewarptech.com).