Augmented Cello Model: Via Distance Sensor, Conduction, and IMU

Levinson, Alexander Emmanuel

4. Term

Sound and Music Computing

2026

2026-05-26

54

Some musical instruments can be played without physical touch. Although rare, instruments like the theremin and the laser harp have achieved notable success. This thesis explores how their design principles can be applied to the cello. It draws on the experiences of a professional theremin player and a professional laser harp player, focusing on touchless control of volume and pitch. These ideas are adapted to create an augmented way of playing the cello by mounting sensors on both the performer and the instrument, to complement or partly replace traditional techniques. Using autobiographical design (Neustaedter & Sengers, 2012), the author—a cellist—reflects on playing the augmented cello. Its effectiveness is further evaluated through trials with three cellists, whose feedback is compared with the author’s insights and with those of the professional theremin and laser harp performers. The similarities found support this approach and highlight the potential to expand the field of non-contact instrument design.

Nogle musikinstrumenter kan spilles uden fysisk berøring. Selvom de er få, har instrumenter som theremin og laserharpe opnået bemærkelsesværdig succes. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan deres designprincipper kan overføres til celloen. Arbejdet bygger på erfaringer fra en professionel thereminspiller og en professionel laserharpespiller med fokus på berøringsfri styring af lydstyrke og tonehøjde. Disse ideer omsættes til en udvidet måde at spille cello på ved at montere sensorer både på udøveren og på instrumentet, så de kan supplere eller delvist erstatte traditionelle teknikker. Ved hjælp af autobiografisk design (Neustaedter & Sengers, 2012) reflekterer forfatteren, der er cellist, over at spille på den udvidede cello. Effektiviteten vurderes desuden gennem afprøvninger med tre cellister, hvis feedback sammenlignes med forfatterens egne indsigter og med de professionelle theremin- og laserharpeudøveres erfaringer. De fundne ligheder understøtter den valgte tilgang og peger på et potentiale for at udvide feltet for berøringsfri instrumentdesign.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

Sound and Music Computing ; Musical Instrument Design ; Granular Synthesis ; ToF Distance Sensors ; Inertial Measurement Unit ; Theremin ; Laser harp ; Touchless ; Non-contact

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