Piano Guidance
Photo by Elijah O'Donnell Pexels Logo Photo: Elijah O'Donnell

Who made the first song with AutoTune?

Cher's Cher's comeback smash “Believe” in 1998 is recognized as the first commercial release featuring Auto-Tune. In fact, the robotic yet mesmerizing sound of the song came to be known as “the Cher effect.”

How do you start a song?
How do you start a song?

Five Different Ways to Start a Song Start with a title. Write down thirty or forty different words or phrases. ... Start with a melody. Focus on...

Read More »
Do you really need a piano teacher?
Do you really need a piano teacher?

Your piano teacher will help you stay on track with consistent practice. Knowing that someone else is observing your progress each week will...

Read More »

Few innovations in the music industry have polarized artists and audiences as much as Auto-Tune. CNN hailed it as “the invention that changed music forever,” while a popular track from Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint 3 declared the “Death of Auto-Tune.” For better or worse, Auto-Tune has been used by artists as varied as Kanye West, Radiohead and Katy Perry. Here’s a look back at some highlights in the history of Auto-Tune.

Birth of Auto-Tune

Ironically, the seeds of what would become Auto-Tune grew out of the oil industry. Dr. Andy Hildebrand, working for Exxon, created a complex set of algorithms to interpret sonar-generated data and locate oil deposits far underground. In 1989, Hildebrand combined his technical know-how and his passion for music to found Antares Audio Technologies. After a colleague jokingly requested a machine that would help her sing in tune, Hildebrand realized the logic behind his geological system could be applied to pitch correction, and Auto-Tune was born.

Cher Brings Auto-Tune to the Masses

Cher’s comeback smash “Believe” in 1998 is recognized as the first commercial release featuring Auto-Tune. In fact, the robotic yet mesmerizing sound of the song came to be known as “the Cher effect.” Producer Mark Taylor, originally reluctant to admit to the use of Auto-Tune, claimed the vocals were created with a Digitech Talker vocoder pedal. Cher herself later told the New York Times she adamantly refused her label’s request to remove the Auto-Tune effects.

“The Impresario of Auto-Tune”

Rapper/songwriter/producer T-Pain has essentially built a career on Auto-Tune, with his name becoming virtually synonymous with the software. In 2009, 20 years after Antares Auto Technology came into being, the company partnered with T-Pain and app start-up Smule to release “I Am T-Pain.” The app essentially turned iPhones into Auto-Tune karaoke machines.

Auto-Tune Backlash Begins

By 2009, the music industry was deep into a love-hate relationship with Auto-Tune. While the technology was being used throughout all genres of music, almost no one wanted to admit it. That same year, in addition to Jay-Z’s anti-Auto-Tune song, members of independent rock band Death Cab for Cutie turned up at the Grammys wearing blue ribbons to “raise awareness about Auto-Tune abuse.”

Clear Lake: State-of-the-Art Equipment and Production Methods

Our team at Clear Lake Recording Studios can help you implement the latest cutting-edge techniques in audio production. Contact us for more information.

How do I teach my child to jump?
How do I teach my child to jump?

Bending down in a deep squat position and then rising back to standing helps to strengthen their leg muscles which will help them to learn to jump....

Read More »
What is the 10th sense?
What is the 10th sense?

10. The sense of when you have to go to the bathroom. It doesn't seem impressive, but trust me, you'd miss this if it were gone. Now is, however, a...

Read More »

Is Chinese music homophonic?

It is generally thought that Chinese music is homophonic. In instrumental music, the players tend to play in unison, and in vocal music, the instrumental accompaniment closely follows the pattern of the singing.

It is generally thought that Chinese music is homophonic. In instrumental music, the players tend to play in unison, and in vocal music, the instrumental accompaniment closely follows the pattern of the singing. The science of harmony, or the system that governs the combining of the intervals as applied in European music, was not known to China in the past. In fact, very little was said in the long history of Chinese music about the theory of combining the intervals. However, unison is not to be regarded as the sine qua non in Chinese instrumental and vocal music. In many types of Chinese folk music, one finds that the players or singers do not adhere strictly to unison but vary their parts in juxtaposition and in relay. Frequently, the players resort to embellishing the melody and the more skilful ones will embark on extemporization, giving rise to heterophonic effects. The practice of embellishment and extemporization is intended to avoid monotony in ensemble playing and to show off the skill of the player. But in specific cases, different parts are planned for the singers and players to perform.

What does the 7 mean after a chord?
What does the 7 mean after a chord?

A dominant seventh chord, or major-minor seventh chord is a chord composed of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. It can be also...

Read More »
Why is Für Elise sad?
Why is Für Elise sad?

Musically, it is a five-part rondo with the form ABACA. It is in the key of A minor, which gives it a sad or wistful sound, full of regret and...

Read More »
Can I still learn piano at 18?
Can I still learn piano at 18?

Yes, adults (young professionals, middle-aged adults, retirees, and everything in between) can absolutely learn how to play the piano - don't let...

Read More »
What does playing the piano do for your brain?
What does playing the piano do for your brain?

Adults who learn to play piano experience a decrease in depression, fatigue, and anxiety and an increase in memory, verbal communication, and a...

Read More »