Playing digital music by waving hands in the air
Alexei Sourin, Zhong Cai Chock · International Workshop on Advanced Image Technology (IWAIT) 2019 · 2019
We study how music can be played with a computer by tracking hands in the air. We begin our considerations by analyzing how the theremin can be played—an electronic musical instrument which is played without physical contact by the hands of the performer. We then look at the present hand-tracking technologies available for common personal computers and mobile devices and hypothesize that optical tracking devices, like Leap Motion controller, may be used for simulating the theremin functions with a common personal computer. We then describe our own implementation of the digital theremin and analyze why the theremin is considered as the most difficult to play musical instrument and how its deficiencies can be overcome with the help of computer graphics.