It is my pleasure to introduce you to DREAM IT, an innovative application developed by me and designed to promote inclusion and access to music for people of all ages and abilities. DREAM IT is much more than just a simple piano application; it is a powerful tool that allows anyone to enjoy and experience music in a unique and meaningful way.

              DREAM IT has been created with a clear purpose: to make music accessible to everyone. This innovative application allows you to upload MIDI files, and by playing the piano keys, the song is played note by note following the user's rhythm and intensity. This unique feature provides everyone with the opportunity to feel and experience music in a completely new way, conveying the sensation of playing the piano flawlessly.

Some of the highlighted features of DREAM IT include:

    1. Universal accessibility: DREAM IT has been designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind, making it easy for              anyone to enjoy music actively and participatively.

    2. Musical flexibility: With DREAM IT, no prior musical experience is required. Users can play whatever they want and          follow the rhythm of the song, creating a personalized musical experience.

    3. Interactive learning: DREAM IT can also be a valuable educational tool. Educators can use the application to teach          musical concepts and foster creativity in the classroom.

    4. Support for Music Therapy: DREAM IT can be an effective therapeutic tool for music. It can be used in music                    therapy settings to improve coordination, expression, and emotional well-being.

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       On the other hand, the controversy surrounding DREAM IT focuses on its ability to "correct" played notes, which can be considered a detriment to the performer's merit. It might seem like simply a shortcut, a way to strip music of its authenticity and emotion. But is this really the case?

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       It is true that DREAM IT may appear as a shortcut for those who don't have developed musical skills, allowing even the performance of complex pieces with just a few finger movements. However, there is a crucial aspect to consider: the difference between a "real" performance and one done with DREAM IT can become imperceptible to any ear.

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       This is because, in addition to correcting notes, DREAM IT also allows the performer to control expressive nuances, both agogic and dynamic. This means that the final auditory experience can be equally emotive and aesthetically gratifying, regardless of whether it is performed live or through the application.

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       So, what is the real debate here? From the audience's perspective, when they go to see a performer, what do they expect and value? A "circus-like" performance and a display of immense technique, or enjoying the music regardless of how it's executed? Or perhaps, is music only truly enjoyed by witnessing the virtuosity and "suffering" of the performer?

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       It is true that the audience also needs to admire and recognize special or unattainable qualities in the performer to value them, but the virtuoso is not only virtuosic because of their technique but also because of their expressiveness, and expressiveness remains intact with applications like DREAM IT. With it, only technical virtuosity, that is, the spectacle, is suppressed, and this may be the main issue.

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       And now, from the artist's perspective, what artist would be willing to give up the spectacle and the display of their skills even if the sound result is the same? Is applause and public recognition of their technical virtuosity the true purpose of their art, or should personal enjoyment of creating music be enough, regardless of how it's performed?

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       The issue of expressiveness is key. If DREAM IT allows nuances and expressiveness to remain intact, then one could argue that the "spirit" of the music remains alive, though mediated by technology. This challenges our traditional conception of authenticity in music, which is often tied to direct personal effort and skills so hard-won with pride. But not everything is done with DREAM IT; one must also be skilled to convey emotions.

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       In the end, what matters is that music continues to touch our lives in one way or another, whether through the hands of an expert performer playing live or through an application like DREAM IT, because with it, the pianist still has full expressive control in their fingers even if the performance is not focused on the personal display of their technical skills. And here is where we encounter ego and the innate need of every human being to satisfy it. No one who can do something exceptionally well would give up showing it and being applauded for it. This is why these types of applications seem destined to be "taboo," or will there come a day when it is common to use them? If the final experience for the audience were the same, I don't think it would be a problem, or maybe it is a problem for the performer and their ego after all...

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       Who knows, maybe in 500 years music will be played this way, and it won't be necessary to sacrifice an entire life to enjoy and perform a Rachmaninoff concert, for example, just having sensitivity and some skill with the fingers...

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For more information, you can contact me at:

rafgim36@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Rafael Gimeno.

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UPDATES:

- (13/03/2024) Added Piano roll

- (17/03/2024) Modification added to highlight important melodic lines over the accompaniment.

- (18/03/2024) Added forward and backward buttons.