Toneblocks: Block-based musical programming

Michael Quigley, and William Payne

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

• Year: 2021
• Location: Shanghai, China
• Article Number: 45
• DOI: 10.21428/92fbeb44.46c0f6ef (Link to paper)
• PDF link
• Presentation Video

Abstract:

Block-based coding environments enable novices to write code that bypasses the syntactic complexities of text. However, we see a lack of effective block-based tools that balance programming with expressive music making. We introduce Toneblocks1, a prototype web application intended to be intuitive and engaging for novice users with interests in computer programming and music. Toneblocks is designed to lower the barrier of entry while increasing the ceiling of expression for advanced users. In Toneblocks, users produce musical loops ranging from static sequences to generative systems, and can manipulate their properties live. Pilot usability tests conducted with two participants provide evidence that the current prototype is easy to use and can produce complex musical output. An evaluation offers potential future improvements including user-defined variables and functions, and rhythmic variability.

Citation:

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{NIME21_45,
 abstract = {Block-based coding environments enable novices to write code that bypasses the syntactic complexities of text. However, we see a lack of effective block-based tools that balance programming with expressive music making. We introduce Toneblocks1, a prototype web application intended to be intuitive and engaging for novice users with interests in computer programming and music. Toneblocks is designed to lower the barrier of entry while increasing the ceiling of expression for advanced users. In Toneblocks, users produce musical loops ranging from static sequences to generative systems, and can manipulate their properties live. Pilot usability tests conducted with two participants provide evidence that the current prototype is easy to use and can produce complex musical output. An evaluation offers potential future improvements including user-defined variables and functions, and rhythmic variability.},
 address = {Shanghai, China},
 articleno = {45},
 author = {Quigley, Michael and Payne, William},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.21428/92fbeb44.46c0f6ef},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/c64l1hK3QiY},
 title = {Toneblocks: Block-based musical programming},
 url = {https://nime.pubpub.org/pub/qn6lqnzx},
 year = {2021}
}