Title: Advancements in violin-related human-computer interaction

Authors: Dan Overholt

Addresses: Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, Copenhagen 2450, Denmark

Abstract: Finesse is required while performing with many traditional musical instruments, as they are extremely responsive to human inputs. The violin is specifically examined here, as it excels at translating a performer's gestures into sound in manners that evoke a wide range of affective qualities. This type of rich responsiveness is simultaneously what makes it so challenging to play, what keeps it interesting to practice for long periods of time, and what makes overcoming these difficulties worthwhile to performer and audience alike. The capability of an instrument to render audible the complexity of human intelligence and emotion is at the core of the musical interface technology design space, MITDS. This is a framework that endeavours to retain and enhance such traits of traditional instruments in the design of interactive live performance interfaces. Utilising the MITDS, advanced human-computer interaction technologies for the violin are developed in order to allow musicians to explore new methods of creating music. Through this process, the aim is to provide musicians with control systems that let them transcend the interface itself, and focus on musically compelling performances.

Keywords: human-computer interaction; HCI; interactive performance systems; augmented instruments; physical computing; design methods; electronic violin; sonic interaction design; sound; music computing; new interfaces; musical expression; performer gestures; human intelligence; emotion; interface technology design space.

DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2014.060941

International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2014 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.185 - 206

Received: 02 Apr 2012
Accepted: 23 Sep 2012
Published online: 21 Jun 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article