Remote music lesson demonstration conducted by UCLA for five notable Chinese music conservatories online
UCLA Demonstrates Revolutionary Remote Music Education Technology
On January 22, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hosted representatives from five Chinese conservatories for a groundbreaking demonstration of Yamaha's Remote Lesson technology. This innovative system enables distance music education by connecting teachers and students in real time using Yamaha's Disklavier pianos, which transmit exact key and pedal movements over the internet.
The event, organized in conjunction with Yamaha Corporation of America and sponsored by Yamaha Music & Electronics (China) Co., Ltd., took place in the Evelyn & Mo Ostin Music Center at UCLA. The technology was demonstrated at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, marking the first official connection between an American and a Chinese school.
The demonstration involved a student at the Central Conservatory of Music being taught by Dr. Inna Faliks from UCLA's recording studio. The Disklavier, a unique instrument capable of transmitting key strokes and subtle pedal movement data between similar instruments over the internet, was presented to the Chinese guests during the event.
The Disklavier instruments used in this collaboration are equipped with sensors and actuators that capture the nuances of piano playing—key velocity, timing, pedal use—and send this data remotely. The teacher’s Disklavier keyboard can recreate the student’s performance note-for-note, enabling real-time correction and demonstration. This creates an immersive, interactive lesson environment that closely mimics in-person teaching, despite the physical distance.
This system relies on Yamaha’s proprietary hardware and software integrating high-speed internet data transmission with acoustic piano mechanics. It preserves musical expression details like dynamics and pedaling, which are often lost in standard video calls, thus maintaining the artistic integrity of the lessons. Through this setup, UCLA faculty can effectively conduct masterclasses, individual lessons, and group instructions with students thousands of miles away in Chinese music institutions.
Shana Kirk, a Yamaha Consultant, provided technical support during the demonstration, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants. The event represented a significant stride in the field of distance learning, demonstrating the potential for remote instruction by top artists and educators in the realm of music education.
Technology played a crucial role in bridging education-and-self-development opportunities, as demonstrated by the remote music education technology showcased at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This innovation in music education technology allows teachers and students to connect in real-time, fostering a learning environment that closely mimics in-person teaching, despite physical distance.
