IWBNI there were a utility that could be used to view a Finale document on a wearable computer for performance purposes. As it is now, there is no such utility.

A utility of this type could be used to equip the "Orchestra of the Future". Each player could have a wearable computer consisting of a pair of glasses that displays their part score, cue information, and a beat indicator that is derived from, but not necessarily equal to, the beat established by a human conductor. The conductor could be equipped with a microphone to issue cues to instrumentalists that could be heard through headphones or seen on their display. A facility could be provided to allow the conductor to see all parts and navigate within parts on a wearable computer or a standard computer. All displays could be connected to a central controller that could be controlled by the conductor and all connections could be wireless. The conductor's baton could be wired to serve as a controller.

Such technology would facilitate the performance of complicated parts, and scores in which parts are independent in many dimensions. If integrated into the orchestra, such wearable technology could have the following implications on music making:

• Tempi: Each part could have its own tempo and the tempo of each part could change frequently, both continuously and discontinuously, because each performer would see their own beat cue on their display.

 
• Pitch: Unusual pitches could be specified because performers could receive audio cues for such pitches in their headphones.

 
• Start and End Time of Notes: The time at which a given performer starts or ends a given note could be at any specified time and it would not be necessary for such times to bear a simple relationship with the beats of other parts.

 
• Rhythm and Meters: Complicated rhythms such as those involving tuplets, incomplete tuplets and fractional meters could be performed more easily. Visual and audio rhythmic cues could be provided just prior to and during the time at which such rhythms are to be performed.

 
• Music Stands and Printed Music: Music stands and printed music could be eliminated for performance purposes.

 
• Position of Instruments: Performers could be more mobile and the position of most instruments could be changed easily during a performance.

 
• Color of Scores: Multi-colored scores could be used in place of the traditional black and white.

 
• Part Scores: The rhythms of each given part could be notated using a meter and beaming that would yield the simplest representation of the stresses and accents of the part, and it would not be necessary to use beams and barlines as a guide for synchronizing parts.

 
• Tuning: Each performer could be provided tuning pitches in their headphones so that instruments could be tuned independently, easily.
  
  
• Page Turning: Performers could continue playing through page turns as such turns would be done automatically.

Created: July 13, 2000
Last Updated: July 13, 2000
Version: Finale 2000b