Strategies for Engagement in Computer-Mediated Musical Performance

A general strategy for encouraging embodied engagement within musical interface design is introduced. A pair of example implementations of this strategy are described, one tangible and one graphical. As part of a potentially larger set within our general approach, two separate relationships are described termed ‘decay and contribution’ and ‘instability and adjustment’, which are heavily dependent on the action requirements and timeliness of the interaction. By suggesting this process occurs on a timescale of less than one second it is hoped attentiveness and engagement can be encouraged to the possible benefit of future developments in digital musical instrument design.