Pitch canvas: Touchscreen based mobile music instrument
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Abstract
Mobile music applications are typically quite limiting to musicians, as they either attempt to mimic non-touchscreen interfaces or do not offer enough control. Pitch Canvas is a musical interface that was built specifically for the touchscreen, with the goal of providing the same depth and flexibility as traditional instruments without virtualizing an existing physical interface. Pitches are laid out in a hexagonal pattern that allow for easy scale, chord, and arpeg-giation patterns, while notes are played by touch but sustained through continuous movement. Pitch bends can be achieved by passing through the space between the notes, allowing slides, slurs, and rudimentary vibrato. The current implementation of the interface runs only on Apple iPad tablet computers using libPd [1] to convert user interaction into audio. An iPad overlay offers physical feedback for the circles as well as the pitch bend area between the circles. A performable version of the application has been built, though several active developments allow alternative sonic interpretation of the gestures, enhanced visual response to user interaction, and the ability to control the instrument with multiple devices.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression
First Page
171
Last Page
174
Recommended Citation
Strylowski, B., Allison, J., & Guessford, J. (2014). Pitch canvas: Touchscreen based mobile music instrument. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, 171-174. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/music_pubs/111