scholarly journals Accessible Digital Musical Instruments—A Review of Musical Interfaces in Inclusive Music Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Frid
Keyword(s):  
Computer Music ◽  
User Participation ◽  
Music Technology ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Prosthetic Devices ◽  
Music Practice ◽  
Control Interface ◽  
History Of ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Musical Interaction

Current advancements in music technology enable the creation of customized Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs). This paper presents a systematic review of Accessible Digital Musical Instruments (ADMIs) in inclusive music practice. History of research concerned with facilitating inclusion in music-making is outlined, and current state of developments and trends in the field are discussed. Although the use of music technology in music therapy contexts has attracted more attention in recent years, the topic has been relatively unexplored in Computer Music literature. This review investigates a total of 113 publications focusing on ADMIs. Based on the 83 instruments in this dataset, ten control interface types were identified: tangible controllers, touchless controllers, Brain–Computer Music Interfaces (BCMIs), adapted instruments, wearable controllers or prosthetic devices, mouth-operated controllers, audio controllers, gaze controllers, touchscreen controllers and mouse-controlled interfaces. The majority of the AMDIs were tangible or physical controllers. Although the haptic modality could potentially play an important role in musical interaction for many user groups, relatively few of the ADMIs (14.5%) incorporated vibrotactile feedback. Aspects judged to be important for successful ADMI design were instrument adaptability and customization, user participation, iterative prototyping, and interdisciplinary development teams.

scholarly journals Strange Post-human Attractors: Algorithmic improvisation as acousmatic poiēsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Erik Nyström
Keyword(s):  
Computer Music ◽  
Music Technology ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Feedback Systems ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Music Practice ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Karen Barad ◽  
And Performance

Contemporary thought is moving away from the notion that the human is a clear-cut concept. In particular, non-anthropocentric views are proliferating within the interdisciplinary area of critical post-humanism, with emphasis on non-dualistic views on relations between human and technology. This article shows how such a view can inform electroacoustic and computer music practice, and sees improvisation linked with composition as a fruitful avenue in this. Following a philosophical preparation and a discussion of relevant music discourse, two computer music works created by the author are discussed to demonstrate a model of music-making that merges composition and improvisation, based on the concepts of cognitive assemblages and intra-action, following the writings of N. Katherine Hayles and Karen Barad, respectively. The works employ techniques related to artificial intelligence and cybernetics, such as machine learning algorithms, agent-based organisation and feedback systems. It is argued that acousmatic sound is an important aspect of this practice. The research is thus situated not only in the frames of improvisation practice and music technology but also within spatial acousmatic composition and performance.

A History of the Spectrum

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-49
Author(s):  
Victor Lazzarini
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Computer Music ◽  
Ancient Greece ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Modern Concept ◽  
Musical Scale ◽  
Classical Physics ◽  
Audio Engineering ◽  
Musical Acoustics ◽  
History Of

This chapter traces the history of spectral audio, from Ancient Greece to the 20th century. Looking first at the first studies of ratios and pitch and the establishment of the early musical scale systems, then through the development of musical instruments, the chapter discusses the most important achievements in musical acoustics that led to the modern concept of the spectrum. It discusses the ideas put forward by Classical Physics, which culminated in the work of Fourier. The seminal discoveries and ideas proposed by Helmholtz are covered in some detail and the chapter closes with an overview of acoustics and audio engineering in the 20th century, and the development of electronic and computer music.

A Musical Technography of John Bischoff

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Douglas Kahn
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Computer Music ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
San Francisco Bay Area ◽  
Experimental Music ◽  
Music Technology ◽  
Electronic Components ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
The Impact

John Bischoff has been part of the formation and growth of electronic and computer music in the San Francisco Bay Area for over three decades. In an interview with the author, he describes his early development as a student of experimental music technology, including the impact of hearing and assisting in the work of David Tudor. Bischoff, like Tudor, explored the unpredictable potentials within electronic components, and he brought this curiosity to bear when he began working on one of the first available micro-computers. He was a key individual at the historical turning point when computer music escaped its institutional restric-tions and began becoming widespread.

Compositional and Performance Mapping in Computer Chamber Music: A Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Lyon ◽  
R. Benjamin Knapp ◽  
Gascia Ouzounian
Keyword(s):  
Chamber Music ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mapping Problem ◽  
Software Interfaces ◽  
Digital Synthesis ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Physical Gestures ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Musical Interaction

The mapping problem is inherent to digital musical instruments (DMIs), which require, at the very least, an association between physical gestures and digital synthesis algorithms to transform human bodily performance into sound. This article considers the DMI mapping problem in the context of the creation and performance of a heterogeneous computer chamber music piece, a trio for violin, biosensors, and computer. Our discussion situates the DMI mapping problem within the broader set of interdependent musical interaction issues that surfaced during the composition and rehearsal of the trio. Through descriptions of the development of the piece, development of the hardware and software interfaces, lessons learned through rehearsal, and self-reporting by the participants, the rich musical possibilities and technical challenges of the integration of digital musical instruments into computer chamber music are demonstrated.

Why the Ancient Musical Essence is Still Retained in Dusun Tindal's Instrumental Music within its Modern Community?

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Chong Lee Suan
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Instrumental Music ◽  
Contemporary Music ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Music Practice ◽  
Musical Styles

Objective - This paper examines Dusun Tindal's instrumental music practice within the context of modernity of the society in Tenghilan, a town that is located on northwest Sabah. The study looks into the driving modish musical styles and forms in the root of the ancient traditions especially in the aspects of musical natures, music compositions, musical functions, and philosophies. Methodology/Technique - The contemporary musical ensemble is a newly developed tradition combining a mixture of traditional and western musical instruments and styles. Due to the new mindsets and tastes of their young people, as well as to open up opportunities to venture into the exotic blooms of globalized musical festivals and tourism, their music is manifold and endeavoring in captive of the hearts of the global audience. Findings - The contemporary musical ensemble is a newly developed tradition combining a mixture of traditional and western musical instruments and styles. Due to the new mindsets and tastes of their young people, as well as to open up opportunities to venture into the exotic blooms of globalized musical festivals and tourism, their music is manifold and endeavoring in captive of the hearts of the global audience. Novelty - This study attempts to disclose the grounds and rationales behind the persistence of the Dusun Tindals in upholding their ancient musical essence until today Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Bamboo Orchestra; Dusun Tindal Contemporary Music; Dusun Tindal Music

The history of the keyboard instrument MNP I 49 from the Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań. the state of research

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (16) ◽  
pp. 137-148
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Wróblewska
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
National Archive ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
National Museum ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
History Of ◽  
Baroque Era ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Source Materials ◽  
Keyboard Instrument

The keyboard instrument MNP I 49 from the Museum of Musical Instruments in Poznań has not been a subject of detailed academic studies yet, but there have been mentions of it in various types of publications throughout the years. The item is currently placed in the exhibition hall devoted to the art of the Baroque era in the Museum of Applied Arts in Poznań. It is a unique historical item in the Polish collection due to a very scarce number of harpsichords preserved in Poland. This situation is mainly a result of two world wars in the 20th century. Due to not enough available sources, the exact time of the creation of the instrument and the name of its builder were impossible to determine. The aim of the present article was to compile and arrange previous knowledge about the historical item MNP I 49. The work lists source materials and publications in which the instrument was mentioned, such as documents from the National Archive in Poznań, Raczyński Library in Poznań and National Museum Archive in Poznań. Based on the available source materials, the author was able to determine that the harpsichord appeared at the Skórzewski family’s palace in Czerniejewo before 1855.

3D printing technology in musical instrument research: reviewing the potential

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1511-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antreas Kantaros ◽  
Olaf Diegel
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Wind Instruments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Class ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to discuss additive manufacturing (AM) in the context of applications for musical instruments. It examines the main AM technologies used in musical instruments, goes through a history of musical applications of AM and raises the questions about the application of AM to create completely new wind instruments that would be impossible to produce with conventional manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach A literature research is presented which covers a historical application of AM to musical instruments and hypothesizes on some potential new applications. Findings AM has found extensive application to create conventional musical instruments with unique aesthetics designs. It’s true potential to create entirely new sounds, however, remains largely untapped. Research limitations/implications More research is needed to truly assess the potential of additive manufacturing to create entirely new sounds for musical instrument. Practical implications The application of AM in music could herald an entirely new class of musical instruments with unique sounds. Originality/value This study highlights musical instruments as an unusual application of AM. It highlights the potential of AM to create entirely new sounds, which could create a whole new class of musical instruments.

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