Interview with C Odenkirk
Interview:
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Cliff Odenkirk, originally from Ohio, I now live north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I am involved in a many different facets of the music business. I teach piano, organ, electronic keyboards, brass, woodwinds, and computer music I have recorded music for radio and television commercials and some of my original music was used on NBC for one of their national TV shows. I write arrangements for the University of Wisconsin, Sheboygan jazz band and for community bands in the area. I am involved in promoting music technology by acting as clinician and consultant to school districts and colleges. I also teach three music technology related courses." Computers and Keyboards , Music Sequencing and Notation, and Music on the Internet". I am house pianist at The American Club, The Midwest's only AAA Five-Diamond Resort Hotel.
How did you become interested in computers and music technology?
It was a natural growth out of my years as a road musician. My first
keyboard was a Farfisa Organ back in the late 60's. I upgraded equipment
over the years as the technology improved. I bought my first computer and
started sequencing (on a Commodore 64) in the early 80's. I now use both
IBM and MAC computers, Cakewalk Pro Audio 5.0, Yamaha MU80, MU50, and DB50
XG sound modules, and Avid Cinema editing programs.
Name a couple of ways you use the computers for music.
Teaching
I have a computer workstation for my students. For the
beginner to intermediate students I use a shareware program, "A
Music Tutorial" for teaching and reinforcing basic theory
and note recognition concepts. In my computer, music and internet classes
we use the equipment and technology extensively.
I am also a mentor in the WSMA school music mentoring program
Live Performance
I recently completed a project for a theater production organization that hired me to perform the music in their production. I sequenced the 18 pieces used in the production and used the computer and Yamaha XG sound modules for playback during the performance.
Arranging and Composing:
Recent projects include a radio commercial and four arrangements for the UW Sheboygan jazz band. I'm working on an arrangement of a theme song for a community band in Michigan.
If you could change one thing about how computers are used , what would it be?
>You mean other than making IBM and Macs compatible? (ha-ha)
Really, it's unfortunate the division the IBM vs. MAC software incompatibility
creates ends up penalizing the students who are exposed to only one of
the two systems. I use both systems and find it necessary to do so in this
business. Schools that do not educate their musicians in both systems are
shortchanging their students.
Advice on selecting a computer?
Attend courses, seminars, workshops, etc. on music technology. Decide
by making a list of what tasks you want to do with the computer, Then learn
and decide what software would best accomplish those tasks, that will tell
you what computer will best suit your requirements. To buy a computer before
you decide which programs will best suit your needs is backwards.
Hobbies?
I like to fish for salmon, walleye and trout on the Great Lakes , and
enjoy snowmobiling in Wisconsin and Michigan in the winter.