SoloTouch: A Capacitive Touch Controller with Lick-based Note Selector

This paper describes the design of a guitar-inspired, pocketsized controller system SoloTouch. SoloTouch consists of a capacitive touch trigger, and an automated note selector program. Requiring only one finger, the touch trigger allows intuitive execution of both velocity sensitive notes and aftertouch messages. The automated note selector program selects consecutive consonant notes from preprogrammed solo phrases. A companion iPhone app displays and controls the phrases that are being performed. The interface focuses on the balance between ease of playing and the degree of expressive controls available. Players without prior musical training could perform musical and expressive solos suitable for improvisational contexts in the style of blues and rock.