Tod Machover & Dan Ellsey: Releasing the music in your head

http://www.ted.com Tod Machover of MIT's Media Lab is devoted to extending musical expression for everyone -- from virtuosi to amateurs, and in the most diverse forms -- from opera to videogames (Guitar Hero grew out of his group). At TED2008 he talks about what's coming next, from new tools for music creativity to the world's first robotic opera. Machover then introduces Dan Ellsey, a young man with cerebral palsy who has found his voice through music created and performed using Media Lab technologies. Ellsey plays his "My Eagle Song" in a soaring rendition that underscores music's power to heal, to communicate, and to inspire.

Category:

Music

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• Tod
• Machover
• Dan
• Ellsey
• Ted
• tedtalks
• Music
• design
• entertainment
• Health
• Care
• Creativity
• live
• music
• technology

[iplaylax22]

Music snobs don't like this because it's a short cut for all the musically challenged people in the world. it's the cheaters way at creating music and therefore it offends the purists because it cheapens their achievements if some "retard" in a chair can do it too. You sound like a child who doesn't want to share their toy. Music is everywhere and has many forms from birds chirping, to wind whistling. You don't own it. The distinguished audience & I were amazed by the concept. Bravo!

[MonaSabbat]

I'm a musician myself, trained formally in classical and jazz, and play several instruments. I also study theory and composition, and have several dozen modern compositions to my name. I'm not saying that to brag, I'm just using it to highlight my knowledge in the field.

And I thought this was just fantastic. I've been working a lot with electronic music lately, and this opens all new avenues, particularly to people who otherwise, would have very few recources for thier own art.

[stormy32316]

Why would anyone make a negative comment about a program available for people with disabilities to be able to create music?! I'm a musician too, and I feel that music should be for everyone. Not everyone has the same abilities that you do!

[ihatedr666]

idiot guy, where can we get this? i will found out when i do a research. that music it has is bu bu.

[mshee20]

just met dan today. he is an amazing person and it's fascinating to see him communicate with people through a communication device and to see him composing such great music with such an unfortunate disability. god bless dan!

[valeriesara]

Dan is an astoundingly intelligent and creative person and it is wonderful that this process and technology is here to fit Dan's needs. The world is made up of all kinds of people and musicians and Dan is an incredibly talented musician and composer. Warm thanks to the team at MIT for giving all talented people a chance to succeed in making music and, thereby, reach their potential and realize their dreams. Best wishes, continued success, and BRAVO, dear Dan. Now, Dan, I'm off to buy your CD!

[kbard1285]

@treesburden hey i was just reading the comments and saw that danny is your brother... is this erica or allison? this is keith. i watched video and i loved the music. im so glad danny now has an instrument to express himself.

[simonbour]

Dan was given the chance to applauded and recognized for his work, thanx to this guys' technology. Hurray for that!

[hope542ful]

This isn't gonna work because part of what is so satisfying about making music is that it doesn't come easy. You have to work for it, then when you achieve it you feel so good. I have seen some of my piano students who have guitar hero, they like to play it but it's only a toy, they keep the instrument in a closet and I think they;re gonna get bored with it after while. Sure, it will be a fun game. Maybe I'm wrong!

[treesburden]

danny is an incredible person. he's my brother and he's still making music and hoping to take another trip soon. we went to california for the ted convention and they want to take him to paris! i'm glad some of you all have enjoyed :)