For the first time in Darwin and the Northern Territory a new electronic piano reminiscent of a scene from the movie Ghostbusters will perform at Charles Darwin University tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Yamaha Australia will demonstrate a piece of new technology that has the potential to greatly enhance the musical training and experience for piano students in the School of Creative Arts and Humanities at CDU.
CDU Associate Professor for Music Martin Jarvis said the two Disklavier Pianos, one located in Darwin at CDU and the other in Melbourne at Yamaha Music Australia, will be linked remotely via the internet for a demonstration in real time.
“The Disklavier Piano is a true acoustic piano that uses optical sensors and electro-mechanical solenoids to record and replay the performer’s keystroke and pedal movements,” Dr Jarvis said.
“This live performance is replicated in real time over the internet on to the second Disklavier at CDU and at the same time the visuals will be streamed into Darwin using the high-tech Polycom video system.
“In Darwin the piano will appear as being played by invisible fingers, like the piano is playing by itself.”
Dr Jarvis said the technology has wide-ranging ramifications and would pave the way for a whole new way of pursuing remote learning.
“It is now possible to look at taking live concerts, masterclasses and lectures to a bigger network of regional areas, as well as to cities around the globe,” he said.
The performance is at CDU Casuarina campus on Thursday, 26 May at 10am in the Performance Studio, Orange building 6.1.08.