Why do human beings use dishwashers? The answer is obvious: the dishes clean faster, and much less effort is required. One may save many hours over the course of even a week by using the dishwasher. However, the time spent between husband and wife cleaning the dishes by hand is eliminated. No longer does one need to dry after the other washes, and thus they are separated from each other.

Technology's role in our society today is debatable. To what ends should technology be used to help us? When does it become excessive? With auto-tune, an invention by an engineer working under Exxon, came the possibility for vocalists to 'avoid failure'. After all - who wants to listen to someone singing out of tune? The use of auto-tune, I believe, began with artists hoping to create an additional effect in their music (listen to Cher). I see this as completely acceptable. As time progressed, there came demand for auto-tune to be inconspicuous - to be undetectable. This, to me, points out an insecurity on the performer's part.

I have indeed met singers who refused to sing for me, yet they were willing to send me recordings of them singing (after their voice had been processed through auto-tune). There is something very real about vulnerability, and I believe that as humans there is something very necessary about vulnerability. As a pianist, when I play, and I am concerned about playing the incorrect notes, the incorrect notes happen. The same thing happens when I sing. The more I focus on "getting it right", the more I'm out of tune. However, when I let the music wash over me, and I love it more than anything else, and there is nothing I am aware of around me but the music, I do not falter with my fingers, and I always sing perfectly in tune. I believe that failure to communicate what one's soul truly feels with a certain piece of music is failure, NOT making a wrong note. Vladimir Horowitz, a renowned concert pianist, did indeed make mistakes when he played on the piano, yet his audience adored him; he played with such incredible feeling. He said that if he worried about making mistakes and playing things in a pre-meditated fashion, his music would be boring. He said "perfection itself is imperfection."

In music, whether it's a concert or a CD, there MUST be connection between the performer and the audience. Such is the most important thing. In a day and age where it's been proven that the average Joe can be plucked off the street and turned into a pop sensation because of auto-tune, the light shining on the true stars who dedicate themselves to, and love music with all their souls, are being forgotten. True genius can happen on stage, provided the singer is absolutely absorbed in the music. The singer will have sang perfectly in tune throughout the concert. It is then that we shout "Bravo!". On the other hand, if Paris Hilton goes on stage and sings perfectly in tune throughout the concert, but then goes backstage and bitches about some sort of minor annoyance during her performance, well then... let's just say that I don't think we should be giving such people the attention they've been receiving.

Experience:

I love music, I've studied it, and I am a pianist and will sing to myself sometimes.