Sculpting algorithmic pattern: informal and visuospatial interaction in musical instrument design
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Armitage, Jack
Magnusson, Thor
McPherson, Andrew
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
In live coding, the concept of algorithmic patterns is employed to characterise the improvisation of artistic structures. This paper presents a digital musical instrument
(DMI) design study that led to the development of our understanding of proto-algorithmic thinking. The study focused on tools for manually sculpting digital resonance
models using clay, with participants following brief technical instructions. The resulting thought process was grounded in systematic embodied interaction with the clay, giving rise to a form of algorithmic thinking that precedes the conceptual formalisation of the algorithm. We propose the term ‘proto-algorithmic pattern’ to encompass implicit, tacit, gestural, and embodied practices that lack a formalised notational language. In conclusion, we explore the implications of our findings for interfaces and instruments in live coding and identify potential avenues for future research at the intersection of live coding and DMI design.
(DMI) design study that led to the development of our understanding of proto-algorithmic thinking. The study focused on tools for manually sculpting digital resonance
models using clay, with participants following brief technical instructions. The resulting thought process was grounded in systematic embodied interaction with the clay, giving rise to a form of algorithmic thinking that precedes the conceptual formalisation of the algorithm. We propose the term ‘proto-algorithmic pattern’ to encompass implicit, tacit, gestural, and embodied practices that lack a formalised notational language. In conclusion, we explore the implications of our findings for interfaces and instruments in live coding and identify potential avenues for future research at the intersection of live coding and DMI design.
Date Issued
2023-06-15
Date Acceptance
2023-03-24
Citation
Proceedings of the Sound and Music Computing Conference 2023, 2023, pp.377-384
ISBN
978-91-527-7372-7
Start Page
377
End Page
384
Journal / Book Title
Proceedings of the Sound and Music Computing Conference 2023
Copyright Statement
© 2023 Jack Armitage et al. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
License URL
Source
Sound and Music Computing Conference
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2023-06-15
Finish Date
2023-06-17
Coverage Spatial
Stockholm, Sweden