![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
You are in: Sci/Tech | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
Thursday, 18 April, 2002, 08:05 GMT 09:05 UK
E-strings for the future musician
![]() Bell: Produces weird sounds with the hyperviolin
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US are developing a series of what they call hyperinstruments. The latest is a hyperviolin, which is being road-tested by acclaimed classical violinist Joshua Bell. "Musically, it is pointing to some interesting things," Mr Bell told the BBC programme Go Digital. "The possibilities are limitless." Wireless bow The hyperinstrument project is designed to use technology to give extra power and finesse to virtuoso performers.
With the hyperviolin, it is trying to capture the most intricate aspects of violin bowing technique through wireless hardware technology embedded in an enhanced bow. The slight changes in acceleration, speed, and force applied to the bow while it is in play are measured. Then, sound synthesis software converts the data into music. 'Interesting effects' The researchers approached Joshua Bell, who is now an Adjunct Associate Professor at MIT, because of his interest in computers and new technology.
"When it is connected to a computer, it allows me to make some very interesting sounds and effects," he said. "I can play and it will sound like a flute or a human voice, yet played using the technique of the violin that I have learnt." But he is not quite ready to give up his Stradivarius as the hyperviolin still has some way to go. "We're working to make it feel more organic. The sounds are constantly changing, depending on what I'm doing with my bow. "Right now, things are taking me by surprise and it's kind of weird and psychedelic at times," he says. "Perhaps eventually we will have an instrument that feels like second nature, the way a real violin feels to me." Interactive music The hyperinstruments group at MIT started work in this field in 1986, led by Professor Tod Machover, a composer in his own right.
First, at designing high-level professional instruments that measure the most subtle and sophisticated human performance. Secondly, by building powerful, interactive entertainment systems for the public, such as interactive music games and music learning systems. The hyperinstruments have been used by some of the world's foremost performers, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Peter Gabriel.
|
![]() |
See also:
![]() Internet links:
![]() The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Sci/Tech stories now:
![]() ![]() Links to more Sci/Tech stories are at the foot of the page.
![]() |
![]() |
Links to more Sci/Tech stories
|
![]() |
![]() |
^^ Back to top News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy |