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Problem: Learning to play a new instrument is extremely difficult.


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Solution: Last evening, I stumbled upon what I think is the coolest application of AI that I’ve ever come across. While not generative AI (all the hype now), this application has far more potential.

First, I want you to watch this video. In it, you’ll see a piano player (generated from AI) play Giant Steps by John Coltrane, widely regarded as one of the most difficult jazz songs to play and improvise on. Remember that both of these videos are from almost 2 years ago and created by Concert Creator AI (fka Massive Technologies AI).

Just using audio, these videos are able to spit out an amazing realistic video of a “human” playing the piano. I found these videos fascinating and even Syfy.com would agree:

A stunning creation from Canada’s Massive Technologies, the AI is fed audio files, then spits out gorgeous, perfectly timed animation files. The AI was initially intended to be a piano teacher, but those who can... do, and this virtual pianist certainly can, and mesmerizingly so.

Granted, the hands that you see in the videos below aren’t actual, but rather a 3D rendering programmed to accurately caress the keys of any song… well, almost any song. Before we get to the virtual pianist’s blindspots though, let’s celebrate its triumphs.

What if this went a step further and connected the AI human to a real human in order to induce piano playing through EMS or Electronic Muscle Stimulation?

Essentially, I imagine that it may be possible to take the video generated from an audio file and tag the specific finger movements to electrodes which are attached to a human body with fingers on a keyboard. To be able to go audio file -> video file -> electrodes -> human movement -> real piano playing is the ultimate path of this product and business.

The first leg (audio to video) is proven out by Massive Technologies. I believe that the second leg (video to electrodes) would not be hard to implement either through AI or hard-coding.

The third leg (electrodes to human movement, and eventually piano playing) is actually possible too. In this hilarious video from Michael Reeves, he creates a tool that forces him to dab based on electrode shocks. While silly and a bit stupid, it shows the possibility and ability of electrodes to induce movement.

Ultimately, this business would string together all these disparate pieces of technology to create a new methodology of learning and practicing piano.

How’s that for “muscle memory”?

Monetization: Selling this technology as a learning service.

Contributed by: Michael Bervell (Billion Dollar Startup Ideas)

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