Project 1 - Concept Ideation: MIDI Glove

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Imagine if you don't need to carry a instrument while playing anymore. MIDI glove is your new musical device.

Concept ideation:

My concept revolves around my interest in music, especially in instrument performance. The idea of playing instruments with an interactive wearable device is very interesting as to performing in a typical instrument. Not only the idea of performing music through a glove with implantation of sensors is refreshing but also innovative as for how it would change the style of performing musical pieces. The intention of the design is to open up a new path for instrument design that sets as a concept-driven design.

Representation:

I aim to create a wearable soft circuit glove which users could play out series of different MIDI sound, like a drum or keyboard. By tapping or touching the tip of the glove (input), the piezo sensors that are implanted in the glove will send a series of code to Flora (Arduino) and feedback with audio outputs: MIDI sounds. Depending on which figure it was tapped or touched, it will play out a different sound. For instance, the middle figure may play a note of C sharp sound compared with a C flat from the forefinger. If multiple figures are touched as once, it would not generate a different or new sound, but a combination of their original sound. As a whole, the content will be generation melodies or random sounds from the device.

User Experience:

Although it would not be a masterpiece which allows the user to play out a full song at this stage of the concept and design; however, it will definitely give the user a sense joy and uniqueness as what users can do only with their hands. The device is unrestricted in ways of performance. The user is tied to an instrument a to be able to generate certain notes (sound) that could be transformed into a musical piece (a simple melody). Hopefully, it will produce a sense of the futuristic experience to users. In addition, the device should be relatively easy to play with: free from restrictions in motion.

Interactive mapping:

As mentioned earlier, the user will be given a wearable glove where the sensors, Arduino, conductive wires are implanted in or outside. The users are asked to try and put on the glove, and start playing with it. Once they put on the glove, they will be given with instructions with how they can generate the MIDI sound. From there, they will start experiencing output from the device when their figures are tapped onto something. They are encouraged to create a simple melody or beats depending on the MIDI output sound later developed from me. From there, the glove will be free for playful music creation.