The Music Paint Machine: Stimulating Self-monitoring Through the Generation of Creative Visual Output Using a Technology-enhanced Learning Tool

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the pedagogically grounded and research-based design of a technology-enhanced learning tool, the Music Paint Machine. This interactive music system introduces a musical experience in which the musician creates a digital painting by playing an acoustic musical instrument and by moving the body on a coloured pressure mat. As a learning tool it aims at the development of musical creativity, at the stimulation of embodied understanding of music and at the development of an intimate relationship with the musical instrument.

First, the methodological approach is outlined and pedagogical and theoretical backgrounds are discussed. Then, we report on an experiment in which 51 amateur musicians participated. The experiment aimed at probing the application's potential to induce a flow experience and to learn about how participants evaluate the didactic relevance of the Music Paint Machine. Results suggest that the Music Paint Machine has the potential to evoke a flow experience. Furthermore participants acknowledged its didactic relevance with regard to learning to improvise, to developing understanding of musical parameters and to stimulating creativity.

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the EmcoMetecca project supported by the Flemish Government (http://www.ipem.ugent.be/EmcoMetecca). The authors wish to thank their IPEM colleagues: Ivan Schepers for his contribution to the design of the coloured mat and for making it, Pieter Coussement for programming the first software version, Frank Desmet for his help with the data analysis, and Aagje Lachaert for the linguistic revision. Special thanks to Matthias Demoucron for the final review.

Notes

¹Sparkfun Razor 9DOF IMU AHRS: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9623

²Processing 1.0, retrieved May 7, 2009, from www.processing.org