MHST 330 - The Modern Keyboard (1700- ): Body, Gender, Race, and Technology

FC CNDP, DDHU

4 credits
The keyboard is not only a tool for pianists.It shapes how we conceptualize pitch space, compose music, and tune our voices.But for all it affords, it also constrains musical resources.What about the “blue notes” that fall between its keys?This course examines how keyboard technologies have shaped musical history, as well as bodily techniques and constructions of gender and race.It runs from Cristofori’spianoforte to contemporary synthesizers, and touches on topics including partimenti, virtuosity, physiology, microtonalism in Japan, the Steinway firm, the Hindustani harmonium, prepared pianos, Black pianism, ludomusicology, telecommunications, and office secretaries.
Prerequisites & Notes: At least one @200 level music history (MHST) course.