Computer helps train music pupils

Press, 8 September 1982, Page 23

Computer helps train music pupils

University of Canterbury scientists and musicians have developed a - musical computer. This machine can replace a music teacher when it comes to training the ear of music pupils. On “Science Express” (One. 6 p.m. torhorrow) Allanah James and Ken Ellis can be seen getting their first computerised piano lesson on this invention, which can produce anything from a picture of your heart to the downbeat • of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. While on computers, Allanah will also take a look at “Igor.” This brainchild of a team of Christchurch doctors and engineers gives great assistance to the investigation of heart disease by pro-

ducing high-quality pictures of the inside walls of the heart. Road safety is another topic on the programme tonight. Derek Belsey and John Nicholas of the D.S.I.R. Physics and Engineering Laboratory in Lower Hutt have invented a device for measuring the effectiveness of street lighting. The data gathered will be eventually used to produce a road lighting code for the whole of New Zealand. Finally, Ken Hickson will look at the uses of coal produced in Central Otago and how lignite deposits can be turned into liquid fuels and make New Zealand self sufficient for at least the next three decades.