Hyperbow
Encyclopedia
The Hyperbow is an electronic violin bow interface that was developed as a result of a in-depth research project by students at MIT. The instrument is intended for use only by accomplished players. The creation of musical instruments that utilize technology to increase the functionality and subtlety of control has been an endeavour of Tod Machover
and his research group since 1986.
This project aims to capture the most intricate aspects of violin bowing technique, the subtle elements that immediately and directly impact the sound of the instrument while playing. The physical gesture data collected can then be used to control audio effects and synthesis algorithms in real-time. The Hyperbow interface was featured in Toy Symphony performances with violinists Joshua Bell
and Cora Venus Lunny
, and several pieces for cello and Hyperbow have recently been developed and recorded by colleagues at the Royal Academy of Music
.
Current research uses the Hyperbow as a measurement system to investigate the interaction of bowing parameters (acceleration, force, position) and the corresponding effects on the audio
produced.
Diana Young revised the Hyperbow hardware and created two Hyperbows for cello for a collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music
in London. Several compositions featuring the Hyperbows have been written and recorded. Two early pieces were presented on December 2, 2005 at the research seminar entitled New Tools, New Uses, at the Royal Academy of Music
and again at the New Instruments for Musical Expression conference NIME on June 8, 2006 as part of a series of seminars on Digital Interfaces for the Violin Family.
Tod Machover
Tod Machover , is a composer and an innovator in the application of technology in music. He is the son of Wilma Machover, a pianist and Carl Machover, a computer scientist....
and his research group since 1986.
This project aims to capture the most intricate aspects of violin bowing technique, the subtle elements that immediately and directly impact the sound of the instrument while playing. The physical gesture data collected can then be used to control audio effects and synthesis algorithms in real-time. The Hyperbow interface was featured in Toy Symphony performances with violinists Joshua Bell
Joshua Bell
Joshua David Bell is an American Grammy Award-winning violinist.-Childhood:Bell was born in Bloomington, Indiana, United States, the son of a psychologist and a therapist. Bell's father is the late Alan P...
and Cora Venus Lunny
Cora Venus Lunny
Cora Venus Lunny is an Irish violinist. Her father is the musician Dónal Lunny and she is the niece of Manus Lunny.Established as one of Ireland's leading classical musicians since her teens, Cora Venus Lunny is active as a soloist, chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary classical ...
, and several pieces for cello and Hyperbow have recently been developed and recorded by colleagues at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
.
Current research uses the Hyperbow as a measurement system to investigate the interaction of bowing parameters (acceleration, force, position) and the corresponding effects on the audio
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
produced.
Diana Young revised the Hyperbow hardware and created two Hyperbows for cello for a collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
in London. Several compositions featuring the Hyperbows have been written and recorded. Two early pieces were presented on December 2, 2005 at the research seminar entitled New Tools, New Uses, at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
and again at the New Instruments for Musical Expression conference NIME on June 8, 2006 as part of a series of seminars on Digital Interfaces for the Violin Family.
Further reading
- Ray, Robin H., "Grad student's Hyperbow makes music to measure", MIT News Office, July 6, 2006; and in MIT Tech Talk on September 13, 2006.
- Young, Diana. A Methodology for Investigation of Bowed String Performance Through Measurement of Violin Bowing Technique. PhD Thesis. M.I.T., 2007.
- Young, Diana. Selected publications, MIT.
- Templeton, David, Fresh Prince: Joshua Bell on composition, hyperviolins, and the future, Strings magazine, October 2002, No. 105.