Computer Assisted Piano Instruction System
(C.A.P.I.S.)

PURPOSE

FUNCTIONS

1. The System facilitates the accurate and sensitive recording of piano performance on floppy disk.
2. The recorded data can he played hack with the same accuracy with which it was recorded.
   The data may also be 'altered' after recording and played back in its 'altered' form.
3. Students are taught by comparing their own performances to pre-recorded 'Model performances'.
4. The student's performance can be recorded on floppy disk and studied by the teacher without the presence of the student.
5. A recorded performance may be 'printed out' instantly and accurately.
6. Using the Performance Analysis Programme variations from the 'model performance' in a student's performance are easily pointed out.
7. CAPIS reduces the labor force required for one to one teaching.
8. The 'off line' system of operation used by CAPIS means that not all pianos need to be used at the same time.
9. The system allows random access to data filed thereby saving time in comparison to tape recordings.
10. As light sensors are used to record the piano perforrnance the piano action remains normal ie. unloaded.

APPLICATION

In 1984 a computer assisted piano instruction system (C.A.P.I.S.) was installed in the music area of the center.
The system was connected to 63 upright pianos,each in a private practice room.
The system is used in the :following ways:

1. Learning New Material

Students borrow from the teacher 'model performance' of pieces to be learned which have been pre-recorded on floppy disk.

Practicing Known Material

Students can select to playback part only of a pre-recorded high level model performance for detailed musical study. Comparisons are made with their own performance in which they experiment with changes of tempo and so on.

2. Solfege singing

Students can practice solfege singing to pre-recorded accompaniments or to accompaniments which they play and record themselves.

When playing back accompaniments students can control volume and tempo easily and can transpose automatically ie.the accompaniment can he played back in any key regardless of which key it was recorded in.

The repeat function enables repetitive practice of either a part of the piece or the whole piece.

3. Private Piano lessons

If either student or teacher is unable to keep a lesson appointment, the student can submit to the teacher a performance on floppy disk. The teacher can then appraise the performance at a convenient time and inform the student either verbally or visually by means of the print-out facility.

4. Assessment

Students can submit performances for assessment on floppy disk. This reduces the amount of face to face time with the teacher, normally required for assessment.

5. Print Out

By printing-out the student's performance the teacher can instantly explain visually what degree of pressure was used on each note in the phrase, for example, and so point out areas that need attention.

6. Correcting / Composition

The teacher can 'correct' the student's performance shown on the print-out and then have the corrected performance played by piano.

Similarly pieces may be composed using the computer and finally played by the piano after the data is programmed directly onto the floppy disk.