Wired is running an interesting review for The Heart is a Drum Machine. I have to admit I hadn't heard of this movie before, but now I am going to have to check it out. From the review it sounds like it is 1 part science for every part of artistry. Which should work out perfectly for me. I've already added it to my netflix queue and can't wait for it to get here.

During my Undergraduate degree music ed majors were required each semester to take an instrument class. At first I thought the idea was great. I would choose an instrument that I had no previous experience with and learn the basics in that instrument, maybe pick up a new instrument along the way. In reality I didn't like the classes at all for a few reasons. First my school had the grand idea that you learn theses instruments with the intent to be "prepared" to teach these instruments to beginning students.

This is an amazing video by Phoenix performing on a bus. Two things that make this great. First is that it is Phoenix, of course, and second because of the great videography. Enjoy:

Wired is reporting on the use of iPhones as instruments (see the video below). This is a really neat idea to me. First it goes beyond just the simple playback of notes. In this concert sounds are actually manipulated through the various sensors of the iPhone. The article notes the various sensors (touchscreen, microphone, compass, accelerometer).

I remember in college fighting over different practice rooms in the fine arts building. This was never a perfect system, in fact, it was downright aweful. Some people would park themselves in a practice room for hours at a time. At other times you would have to fight with brass groups or just that annoying trumpeter practicing the same high note for 2 hours straight. Of course there were coveted rooms. Not necessarily because there was anything all that special, but it varied for the reasons.