Objective

The Internet has opened up a great communication channel, creating an opportunity for musicians to make their work available instantly around the world, reaching a wider and more diverse audience than was ever possible before. Students in this class will learn how to access music on the web and to publish their own works.

Three options will be shown for distributing music:

1. audio recordings: how to convert tapes to digital files suitable for downloading
   
   
2. MIDI files: how to arrange music for sound cards and synthesizers
   
   
3. streaming: net broadcasting
   
   

Topics

See the overview syllabus regarding the schedule and information that will be covered. Topics include:

• World wide web search: overview of web sites and functions
  
  
• Working with MIDI and audio files
  
  
• Constructing and linking web pages
  
  
• Copyright issues
  
  
• Hypertext, HTML, graphics
  
  

Who will benefit?

This class is intended to help musicians utilize the world wide web for music research, production, publication, promotion, and enjoyment. Examples of applications:

• record promotion
  
  
• sales oriented sites, may be used at sites not oriented towards music to make more interesting presentations
  
  
• outlet for musical compositions
  
  
• web broadcasting
  
  

Online logistics

No regular meetings are held. This is an online distance education course with materials presented via the world wide web. Communication with the instructor is done through e-mail.

Students must: submit their email account at time of enrollment; have a browser such as Netscape, a basic understanding of MIDI, and a synthesizer or sound card connected to their computer. To produce the arranging assignments students will need access to a synthesizer and software to create Standard MIDI files. An understanding of common practice music notation and/or keyboard experience will be helpful but is not required.

We have made some suggestions if you are interested in purchasing a basic system. There are too many equipment configurations to account for all of the possible combinations--if you are in doubt whether your experience and system will meet the requirements please contact the instructor.

Overview Index

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Instructor

Robert Willey, Ph.D., composer, performer, programmer, and educator. He is currently teaching music media and theory at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.












©2000 Robert Willey