'Playing' The Trombone On The iPhone–See It Here
*Apple* rolled out a slew of new features for the iPhone, which Menlo Park, Calif.-based Smule used to create a multiplayer game called Leaf Trombone World Stage. By far and away, the game garnered the most applause from the audience after Smule co-founder Dr. Ge Wang and his assistant played a duet of “Phantom of the Opera.” So, is it really that hard to imagine a time when phones could be used as true instruments?
I guess it depends on what one defines as an "instrument." Very cute and gimmicky, but, like w/ GH and RB, heralds the downfall of musicianship! People spend years learning to play an instrument, mastering its qualities, nuances, sounds, craftsmanship, etc (and how to read and write music). This creates a false sense of ease and skips the many steps involved in understanding music, theory and the beauty of an instrument, as well as music appreciation and discipline from the maker's POV. Plus, I highly doubt the sound quality coming from the iPhone can in any way equal a real trombone!
If it can be used to enhance, or stimulate the desire for, learning to play the real thing, that would be cool!