Music and the Personal Computer: An Annotated Bibliography

(Hardback)

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Description

Over the past six years personal computers have carved a niche in the music world. This popularity is largely due to the establishment of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard in 1983. This communications protocol allows computers to send, receive and store digital information generated by various electronic musical instruments. In addition to numerous writings exploring the possibilities of present and future technology, this annotated bibliography offers educators introductory sources, articles on how to evaluate and purchase equipment and directories of available software. Specifically, it provides a collection of source material, an overview of publications in the field and serves as a point of departure for further inquiry. Part 1 of the bibliography is divided into seven sections, each devoted to information regarding a specific computer. Articles written about two or more popular computers or models not covered elsewhere are detailed in part 2. Music education is the subject of part 3 and part 4 lists and annotates significant books. The appendix contains information on associations involved with the music applications of personal computers and brief descriptions of several popular online services. Author and subject indexes are also included. This book covers a variety of topics that will be of interest to practicing musicians, music educators and computer enthusiasts with interests in music.

Reviews

. . . It belongs in every music collection.-ARBA
The publication of articles and books on music and microcomputers has increased greatly in recent years, and it is therefore not surprising that three bibliographies on this subject have been issued during the past two years. In 1988 Deta Davis brought out her comprehensive Computer Applications in Music, and Craig Lister published his more selective The Musical Microcomputer (CH, Jan '89), and last year witnessed the appearance of Waters's volume, which effectively complements Davis's and Lister's bibliographies. Waters (Pensacola Junior College) has designed his compilation for the practicing musician and music educator, and the selection is limited primarily to articles and books printed between 1983 and 1989. However, more than 1,300 succinctly annotated sources are included. Waters's organizational plan is carefully thought out, with articles on specific computers (e.g., Commodore, IBM, Macintosh) being given the major share of the attention. In fact, most library users will find Waters's bibliography of more immediate practical use than those of Davis and Lister, which are geared more to researchers. Although libraries with large budgets should acquire all of these bibliographies, those with limited financial resources would be best advised to give preference to Waters's compilation. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.-Choice
William J. Waters has provided an important new reference work in his annotated bibliography of writings about music and the personal computer. As he accurately points out in his introduction, over the past six years personal computers have carved a niche in the music world so deep that it is hard to imagine any musician oblivious to their presence.' His book is ample proof of this--he lists nearly 1,300 articles and another seventy books that have been published since 1983. He organizes these by computer, including Amiga, Apple, Atari, Commodore, IBM, Macintosh, Tandy, and nonspecific computers. There are separate chapters on music education, books, and an appendix that lists associations and on-line services. The chapters are organized alphabetically, with short annotations for many of the citations. . . . Mr. Waters should be commended for producing a comprehensive, user-friendly' compilation.-American Music Teacher
. . . It belongs in every music collection.ARBA
." . . It belongs in every music collection."-ARBA
"William J. Waters has provided an important new reference work in his annotated bibliography of writings about music and the personal computer. As he accurately points out in his introduction, over the past six years personal computers have carved a niche in the music world so deep that it is hard to imagine any musician oblivious to their presence.' His book is ample proof of this--he lists nearly 1,300 articles and another seventy books that have been published since 1983. He organizes these by computer, including Amiga, Apple, Atari, Commodore, IBM, Macintosh, Tandy, and nonspecific computers. There are separate chapters on music education, books, and an appendix that lists associations and on-line services. The chapters are organized alphabetically, with short annotations for many of the citations. . . . Mr. Waters should be commended for producing a comprehensive, user-friendly' compilation."-American Music Teacher
"The publication of articles and books on music and microcomputers has increased greatly in recent years, and it is therefore not surprising that three bibliographies on this subject have been issued during the past two years. In 1988 Deta Davis brought out her comprehensive Computer Applications in Music, and Craig Lister published his more selective The Musical Microcomputer (CH, Jan '89), and last year witnessed the appearance of Waters's volume, which effectively complements Davis's and Lister's bibliographies. Waters (Pensacola Junior College) has designed his compilation for the practicing musician and music educator, and the selection is limited primarily to articles and books printed between 1983 and 1989. However, more than 1,300 succinctly annotated sources are included. Waters's organizational plan is carefully thought out, with articles on specific computers (e.g., Commodore, IBM, Macintosh) being given the major share of the attention. In fact, most library users will find Waters's bibliography of more immediate practical use than those of Davis and Lister, which are geared more to researchers. Although libraries with large budgets should acquire all of these bibliographies, those with limited financial resources would be best advised to give preference to Waters's compilation. Recommended for both academic and public libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

WILLIAM J. WATERS is a Reference Librarian at Pensacola Junior College and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of West Florida.