From: spm2d@topaz.cs.Virginia.EDU (Steven P. Miale)
Subject: Virtual Reality and Music
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 91 19:39:18 GMT
Message-ID: <1991Sep23.193918.21953@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
Organization: University of Virginia Computer Science Department


I am a student here at the University of Virginia, and I am presently researching thesis options. I have an idea which I want to explore further, with your
help.

What I would like to do is use one or two polhemi (which are magnetic devices
that give coordinates, i.e. where they are in the room) and hook it up to a
computer system. The computer would interpret the movement of your hands
as gestures, and would then try to interpret them as conductor signals. This
means that in effect you could conduct a computer which is playing music.

Possible applications include:
	1. Conductor training. Composers already use MIDI; why shouldn't
	conductors be allowed to experiment with tempo without having an
	orchestra in front of them?

	2. Performance. A person could actually conduct a piece which has
	been programmed into the computer, and control the speed and
	loudness (and other factors as well) of the music.

Since a polhemus can understand three dimensions, the possibilites for
controlling almost any aspect of a piece is almost limitless.

What I would like is some suggestions, feedback, ideas, anything you care to
write. Thanks.
 
Steve

Steven Miale                   | "No delirium, no absurd metaphors, no    |
University of Virginia         | feelings: nothing but facts. Because I   |
Undergraduate Researcher       | am well, I am entirely, absolutely well."|
spm2d@uvacs.cs.virginia.edu    |  - Yevgeny Zamyatin, _WE_                |