Msg: 4551 *Conference*

07-24-93 17:24:30

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : ROBERT BENSON

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4548 (ORCHESTRA90)

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Robert.... you MUST broaden your information flow.  MIDI (not M1D1) stands for
Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is the "standard" for computerized
sound on traditional instruments.  MIDI's been around for a long time.  But
it's okay not to know.  MIDI is common terminology within the arts but not
common in the community at large.

How do I know about MIDI?  Well, despite my 14 years teaching information
systems and technology, my BA degree from Cal State, Hayward in 1977, is in
music history and literature.  I started in music in the 4th grade on horns,
progressed to ryhthm guitar in high school, then worked my way through college
to my BA on the GI bill after Vietnam as a night club performer; guitar and
vocal in a 3 piece group called, "Steamboat."

The combined income of music in the evenings and the GI Bill for education
allowed me to take a full college load of day time courses.  In fact, when
Paula and I married in May 1974, I was a full time college student and part
time performer.  She was a dential hygenist.  Between her and I, we paid off
our our start up bills, saved $14,000 and bought a house--this one--two years
later.  Wow... the American dream.  It's real, Bob.  All you have to do is
"want" something and believe in that want with everything you've got.  It
works.

So, thanks for asking about MIDI.  -Rick-