I am a musician. My specific field is the classical guitar. Digitalization has changed many aspects of my field. For example, I used to have a lot of papers and books with scores and now everything is in pdf. That is a huge change. Scores can be read in iPad and things can get easier and more efficient.
Teaching can now be done remotely with apps like zoom. HD multi camera, high-definition sound, scores with annotations in PDF throughout the lesson and recorded lesson for reviewing brings many benefits. Students can go back through the lesson on the recorded video and don’t have to worry about making annotations during the class. Devices like microphones, HD cameras or mobile phones can be connected to computers on a low budget, and all this is possible now.
But there are still some things onsite lessons allow that online lessons make difficult. Little children seem to be more disengaged with online lessons. Onsite lessons are more motivating for them. Also, some postural issues are more difficult to explain in online lessons. Onsite lessons make it easier for teacher demonstration of hand and body postures. But this last issue can be solved with imagination. Prepared videos and flipped learning can bring solutions here. This have been my personal experience as a music teacher.
Also, social media marketing for musicians has become very important. An independent musician like me needs to have a social media strategy to be heard and known. This involve having the knowledge to create digital content (music videos, pedagogical material, branding, blogs, etc.) and on how to use social media effectively to reach potential fans and offering products. I am in the process right now of developing this knowledge, creating digital content and implementing a social media strategy for myself. The present and future demands from independent artists to enforce their knowledge of how to use digital tools for their success.
Data Protection
The general data protection regulation (GDPR) does not apply in my country. I live in Colombia (South America) and the law is different here but there are similar regulations. Security is a big issue. I work online a lot and use social media for my work. I will be more aware of what personal information I allow in the settings of these social media platforms. I work with people online and I must be sure that the data that I have in my own pc is secure.
In general, I think it is evident that there are many risks online. Just by going into a website, sometimes it is not very clear what they have access to. It is important to develop knowledge in this area and this is something that I must apply from now on.
ChatGPT
I asked chatGPT what is the correct posture to play the classical guitar. The answer was quite detailed and precise for an introduction to this subject. All the guidelines are true and effective. It even suggests that each person should adapt the guidelines to their own body and that a teacher is recommended for a more effective result. This was quite impressing.
Just for fun I asked ChatGpt who is the best classical guitarist and it told me that that is a very subjective matter that depends on personal taste . It gave me a list of 5 of the most popular guitarists.
I asked ChatGPT how an independent musician like me can build a social media strategy. It was impressive the good advice that was given. All the steps to develop a social media strategy were mentioned. As a first time ChatGPT user, this experience really motivates me to keep using this tool and investigating how effective and reliable it can be.
I think AI is a tool that must be used. Data and its use can bring light to many issues related to music practice and pedagogy. Of course, technology has its limits and even though I am an enthusiast of its use I also think human supervision is always required.
Self-Evaluation
I learned about many innovation projects that are taking place now and how creativity can be applied to develop innovation in any field. Online security and data protection is something I will be more aware of in my daily life. I think I should go deeper into what AI can help me in the process of implementing social media strategies. How can the use of data help me answer problems related to my field of study? This is a new question I will be trying to answer from now on.
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David Cardenas 
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