Computers Rule the Future or I'll Be Obsolete

It's a bit cliche, but we often hear about computers someday taking over the world.  So how will they affect the world of tap dancing?  Well I hope to be leading that charge in a positive way.  I've been working with a software programmer for a while and if all goes well I may end up with a computer program than can "hear" a students feet and draw their sounds onto a video screen in the exact way they tapped them.  Thus showing them visually when a sound was missing, early, or late.  It's not a substitute for listening to their own feet, but I think it will help train their ears to be better able to pick out "off" sounds.  

That's step one of course.  Step 2 is the computer understanding what mistake they're making and then telling them how to fix it.  Truth be told, if I had the money to hire as many good programmers as I need I could make that software right now.  So mark my words that's coming down the pipeline.  

Now don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to create a bunch of tapping robots here.  The computer is meant as tool to help the kids, not as a be-all end-all for tap dancing.  Think of how much guitar hero has gotten kids into music they might otherwise have no interest in.  Maybe computers can do that for tap dancing someday.  I'm hopeful and I'll keep you updated.

Rod Howell at http://www.unitedtaps.com

Comments

  1. dinsishamMay 8, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    So when is Tap Hero coming out? haha! I'd be first in line to get it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rod HowellMay 9, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Well...the project above has stalled indefinitely, but when I have the time and money and I will hire a new programmer and get it going again. IN the meantime I hope to produce some simpler mobile tap apps in the coming year.

    Rod

    ReplyDelete

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