One word I'm missing in this discussion so far is "vocabulary".
I might describe a certain synth as having a "large vocabulary" while
describing it as a tool (listing the situations in which I use it, features
and so on). While emphasising the differences between "tools" and "thoughts"
we should not forget that tools, languages and thoughts might be one and the
same. In the case of linguistic constructs like "in the long run it will
save you money" or "If you don't vote for me there will be more terrorist
attacks" I think the thoughts are tools, conveyed through language, which is
also used as a tool.
In fact, we might argue that a more complicated tool (like a car, synth OS
or DAW) should be consistent in it's interface to be usable at all, and that
this consistency might be a sort of grammar.
Where I think so many systems for electronic music fail as real tools for
live improvisation is how they demand to be addressed in such a inconsistent
and verbose way, with so many exceptions, that their language becomes hard
to speak. Looking at it like that we might speculate that there the
"vocabulary" of the output relates to a feature-set (which manufacturers can
sell) while every piece of the input vocabulary (knobs, buttons) adds cost,
and that this mis-match leads to a overly complicated control grammar.
Expressions that should ideally be like a word, sentence or gesture instead
turn into the equivalent of a whole dialogue with a mentally challenged
customs officer; you can go many places but getting there becomes a chore.
Of course there are many exceptions, like some guitar pedals which can be
tools or instruments without really becoming like a language, but I think
there are also many things considered to be purely "tools" that could also
be seen as unpleasant languages.
So, as a alternative point of view I'd like to suggest looking at all such
systems as languages *and* tools. My mixing desk here, could -for example-
be seen as a very simple language with a dozens of simple words (that are
fortunately easy to learn) and no real grammar to speak of. The Roland rack
module next to it could be seen as a rather outdated and obscure language,
with many exceptions, that requires a dictionary at every turn and which is
only spoken by a small community in a secluded area with
many religious taboos.
Mostly serious,
Kas.
Received on Sat Jul 24 2010 - 14:25:56 BST