Exploring Experiences with New Musical Instruments through Micro-phenomenology

Courtney N. Reed, Charlotte Nordmoen, Andrea Martelloni, Giacomo Lepri, Nicole Robson, Eevee Zayas-Garin, Kelsey Cotton, Lia Mice, and Andrew McPherson

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

• Year: 2022
• Location: The University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Article Number: 49
• DOI: 10.21428/92fbeb44.b304e4b1 (Link to paper)
• PDF link
• Presentation Video

Abstract:

This paper introduces micro-phenomenology, a research discipline for exploring and uncovering the structures of lived experience, as a beneficial methodology for studying and evaluating interactions with digital musical instruments. Compared to other subjective methods, micro-phenomenology evokes and returns one to the moment of experience, allowing access to dimensions and observations which may not be recalled in reflection alone. We present a case study of five microphenomenological interviews conducted with musicians about their experiences with existing digital musical instruments. The interviews reveal deep, clear descriptions of different modalities of synchronic moments in interaction, especially in tactile connections and bodily sensations. We highlight the elements of interaction captured in these interviews which would not have been revealed otherwise and the importance of these elements in researching perception, understanding, interaction, and performance with digital musical instruments.

Citation:

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{NIME22_49,
 abstract = {This paper introduces micro-phenomenology, a research discipline for exploring and uncovering the structures of lived experience, as a beneficial methodology for studying and evaluating interactions with digital musical instruments. Compared to other subjective methods, micro-phenomenology evokes and returns one to the moment of experience, allowing access to dimensions and observations which may not be recalled in reflection alone. We present a case study of five microphenomenological interviews conducted with musicians about their experiences with existing digital musical instruments. The interviews reveal deep, clear descriptions of different modalities of synchronic moments in interaction, especially in tactile connections and bodily sensations. We highlight the elements of interaction captured in these interviews which would not have been revealed otherwise and the importance of these elements in researching perception, understanding, interaction, and performance with digital musical instruments.},
 address = {The University of Auckland, New Zealand},
 articleno = {49},
 author = {Reed, Courtney N. and Nordmoen, Charlotte and Martelloni, Andrea and Lepri, Giacomo and Robson, Nicole and Zayas-Garin, Eevee and Cotton, Kelsey and Mice, Lia and McPherson, Andrew},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.21428/92fbeb44.b304e4b1},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {jun},
 pdf = {69.pdf},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/-Ket6l90S8I},
 title = {Exploring Experiences with New Musical Instruments through Micro-phenomenology},
 url = {https://doi.org/10.21428%2F92fbeb44.b304e4b1},
 year = {2022}
}