NIME Consortium Proposal: Developing a design framework for constructing an accessible musical instrument from an autoethnographic point of view
Andrew McMillan · 2022
Instruments (AMI), Autoethnographic research and design, further stimulate motivation and commitment to an instrument Research question/s/problemWhat are the specific needs to consider when creating a bespoke instrument designed for myself as a disabled musician?What is the interplay between design affordances and creative requirements? Context/theoryThis PhD is situated in the area of accessible musical instruments (AMI) and how we make them relatable for disabled musicians to have meaningful creative outputs and long lasting experiences with them.If we start with considering the design framework and process for creating new musical instruments for disabled musicians, there are particular demands placed on the relationship a musician needs to establish for a constructive and rewarding design to be beneficial, successful and long-lasting.Musician-instrument relationships are extremely important for establishing a strong connection as discussed by Nijs et al. (2013)[1] who considers embodiment and transparency signs of a successful relationship.When this happens, an artist or musician is not only inspired but finds qualities of enjoyment and engagement through the flow state, the theory discussed by Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi (2002)[2].These qualities and the flow state create rewards or satisfaction which in turn lead to motivation and help establish a long-lasting and developing relationship between the musician and their instrument.As a disabled musician currently researching processes and frameworks to design my own musical instruments, my goal is to investigate how to create a strong musician-instrument relationship and how I can consider implimenting the realationship qualities within my creative practice and workflow.