Increasingly, our daily activities, routines and experiences are accompanied by music. This music is broadcast via a range of mobile devices using software systems that can dynamically control track choice in response to our changing context and behavior. These applications aim to enhance or influence user behavior. This integration of music into human activity is explored in Adrian's thesis.

 

Research statement:

How can the navigation and exploration of public spaces be influenced by dynamically adapting the musical parameters contained within an accompanying soundtrack - and can these adaptations create novel musical arrangements to enhance enjoyment?

 

In the work undertaken here 'the exploration of public spaces' refers to location specific cultural walks, such as urban tours, nature reserves, sculpture parks and mobile games.

 

Research approach:

Motivation for the application of music within these experiences is drawn from the conceptual metaphor of motion within music - the component parts of music such as melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre and dynamics are all conceptualised as having physical properties (i.e. melody is movement along a path, the harmony arrives at a perfect cadence, the violins play high, while the cellos play a descending motif). 

 

Adrian is undertaking a series of walking based studies to see how people respond to controlled adaptation of these musical components, while observing: first, the impact on the act of walking (route, heading, pace...etc); second, how walkers perceive and respond emotionally to music that is tailored, and integrated into a specific environment and the artefacts contained within.  

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Research goals:

Development of a framework to support composers and curators of novel, location specific experiences.