| A 31-year-old musician conceptualized an | | | | improves the projects I work on and is far |
| innovative concept that would change the music | | | | cheaper than hiring a graphic artist. The search for |
| world forever. He said, "There ought to be but | | | | good photos has been made easier with the |
| one large art warehouse in the world, to which | | | | invention of image searches, which scour millions |
| the artist could carry his art-works and from | | | | of web pages and catalogue the images. During a |
| which he could carry away whatever he | | | | recent image search I was completely stunned to |
| needed."The year was 1801, the man was Ludwig | | | | find photos of myself playing violin! Small world.As |
| van Beethoven and his concept was finally realized | | | | a teacher I am always furthering my education |
| in 1995 with the public acceptance of the | | | | and training. I use the Internet as a source for |
| Internet.As a violinist and violin teacher I know | | | | enhancing my violin technique and knowledge and |
| exactly how frustrated dear Ludwig felt. Before | | | | for sharing ideas with other musicians. If I can't |
| the Internet I too was frustrated with the limited | | | | find what I'm looking for I can post the query on |
| learning resources available to my students and | | | | a "bulletin board" for another musician to answer. |
| me. Sheet music and books were expensive, any | | | | Recently I saw comments on such a site by a |
| obscure information was near impossible to | | | | former symphony conductor of mine regarding |
| unearth and researching meant hours probing | | | | Saint Saens' 3rd Symphony. I was surprised to |
| through dusty outdated library books. Most | | | | "bump into" someone I know on a worldwide |
| difficult, however, was living in rural Canada with | | | | system with millions of users. Small world.The 'net |
| no connection to other violinists, big city music | | | | has become the world's largest shopping centre |
| groups or current ideas floating around the global | | | | with millions of dollars working through the |
| music scene.Apparently other musicians felt the | | | | system each day. I enjoy using the internet to |
| same way and used the Internet as a tool to | | | | research instruments, accessories and music |
| overcome these and many other obstacles. Web | | | | books and keep up on what products are available |
| sites, file transfer systems, message boards and | | | | for myself and my business. Gone are the days |
| music forums, software and other technologies | | | | of being convinced by a sales rep that his product |
| improved communication between musicians, thus | | | | is the best.I check musician's forums and read |
| creating an advanced global music community.To | | | | feedback on any of the products I am considering |
| start I used online encyclopedias for research | | | | before I buy. I also shop and sell online using tools |
| projects and concert program notes, but soon | | | | such as Ebay and a mutitude of E-commerce |
| learned to use other tools. I learned to use the | | | | solutions. My business attracts buyers from |
| web to locate song lyrics and quotations, such as | | | | around the world: a huge improvement on being |
| the one by Beethoven. If the words or lyrics | | | | limited to my local market.Beethoven once said, |
| aren't in English I use an online tool that | | | | "Music is the soil in that the spirit lives, thinks and |
| automatically translates them for me!The | | | | invents." It's been over 200 years since dear |
| availability of music on the internet is stunning! You | | | | Ludwig invented his "art warehouse" and musicians |
| can download any song your heart desires in MP3 | | | | are finally reaping the benefits of such a music |
| format within seconds. This area of the internet | | | | exchange.For me the creation of the Internet has |
| has become controversial as the record | | | | enhanced and improved the way I enjoy music. |
| companies want us to pay for the music and | | | | More importantly it has helped me feel like a part |
| "peer to peer" protocol violates copyright laws. | | | | of a wonderfully vast music community: a |
| Don't want to ripp off the artists and break the | | | | community visualized by Beethoven |
| law? For only $1 per tune you can legally | | | | himself.**Rhiannon Schmitt (nee Nachbaur) is a |
| download all the music you like from sites like | | | | professional violinist and music teacher who has |
| "puretracks."As for sheet music, thousands of | | | | enjoyed creative writing for years.Rhiannon, age |
| sites offer a similar pay-and-use system where | | | | 29, has worn the hats of events promoter, |
| you can download a wide range of titles. Can't find | | | | classical music radio host and school orchestra |
| the sheet music you're looking for? Search for | | | | music arranger in rural British Columbia, Canada.Her |
| MIDI files (music reproduced digitally) then input | | | | business, Fiddleheads Violin School & Shop, has |
| them into a music notation application (computer | | | | won several distinguished young entrepreneur |
| program for writing music) that automatically | | | | business awards for her comittment to |
| turns it into sheet music.Using the one of many | | | | excellence. Her shop offers beginner to |
| sheet music writing programs available on the | | | | professional level instruments, accessories and |
| Internet I can create a song, edit it to suit the | | | | supplies. provides a rich resource of information |
| player's skill level, add a harmony, include the lyrics | | | | on her school, violin, products for sale and her |
| and have it printed within 10 minutes. The best | | | | many writings.Rhiannon is Founding President of |
| part, other than the cost, is the editability. I can | | | | the Shuswap Violin Society She dedicates much |
| make any changes to the music I want, such as | | | | of her time to community music projects and |
| changing the key, with ease. No more writing the | | | | helping young musicians in financial need.Rhiannon |
| music out by hand either. Beethoven would have | | | | currently writes columns for two Canadian |
| appreciated that.One of my favourite things to do | | | | publications and has been featured in Australia's |
| online is to download professional quality images of | | | | "Music Teacher Magazine." Writing allows her to be |
| violins, musicians and composers for my | | | | a creative "smart-ass" and to teach people that |
| newsletters and publications. Using such photos | | | | the world of music is as fun as you spin it to be! |