Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the design considerations and goals of an interactive digital musical instrument (DMI) for novice pianists. It aims to promote the practice of melodic improvisation by guiding pianists in the selection of notes. The DMI includes two major components: a generative jazz model (software) and an illuminating keyboard controller (hardware). Visual feedback in the form of illuminated keyboard controller keys guides notes selection. Illuminated keys correspond to scale degrees that comply with a harmonic structure generated on-the-fly. The generative nature of the engine allows high degrees of novelty while guaranteeing a structurally-coherent harmonic structure anchored in the blues/jazz idiom. Preliminary experimental results inform critical directions for future design iterations of the proposed system.

Abstract

Abstract
We present SyVMO, an algorithmic extension of the Variable Markov Oracle algorithm, to model and predict multi-part dependencies from symbolic music manifestations. Our model has been implemented as a software application named INCITe for computer-assisted algorithmic composition. It learns variable amounts of musical data from style-agnostic music represented as multiple viewpoints. To evaluate the SyVMO model within INCITe, we adopted the Creative Support Index survey and semi-structured interviews. Four expert composers participated in the evaluation using both personal and exogenous music corpus of variable size. The results suggest that INCITe shows great potential to support creative music tasks, namely in assisting the composition process. The use of SyVMO allowed the creation of polyphonic music suggestions from style-agnostic sources while maintaining a coherent melodic structure. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Abstract
Mobile handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become some of the most prominent ubiquitous terminals within the information and communication technology landscape. Their transformative power within the digital music domain changed the music ecosystem from production to distribution and consumption. Of interest here is the ever-expanding number of mobile music applications. Despite their growing popularity, their design in terms of interaction perception and control is highly arbitrary. It remains poorly addressed in related literature and lacks a clear, systematized approach. In this context, our paper aims to provide the first steps towards defining guidelines for optimal sonic interaction design practices in mobile music applications. Our design approach is informed by user data in appropriating mobile handheld devices. We conducted an experiment to learn links between control gestures and musical parameters, such as pitch, duration, and amplitude. A twofold action-reflection protocol and tool-set for evaluating the aforementioned links-are also proposed. The results collected from the experiment show statistically significant trends in pitch and duration control gesture mappings. On the other hand, amplitude appears to elicit a more diverse mapping approach, showing no definitive trend in this experiment.

Abstract
We present a scoping review of biosensors appropriation as control structures in interactive music systems (IMSs). Technical and artistic dimensions promoted by transdisciplinary approaches, ranging from biomedicine to musical performance and interaction design fields, support a taxonomy for biosensor-driven IMSs. A broad catalog of 70 biosensor-driven IMSs, ranging in publication dates from 1965 to 2019, was compiled and categorized according to the proposed taxonomy. From the catalog data, we extrapolated representative historical trends, notably to critically verify our working hypothesis that biosensing technologies are expanding the array of control structures within IMSs. Observed data show that our hypothesis is consistent with the historical evolution of the biosensor-driven IMSs. From our findings, we advance future challenges for novel means of control across humans and machines that should ultimately transform the agents involved in interactive music creation to form new corporalities in extended performative settings.

Abstract
Folk music is a fundamental immaterial heritage that promotes cultural identity. However, it lacks a substantial body of open access materials, and its promotion has been disconnected from the education curriculum. In this context, facilitated access to annotated high-quality folk music content can promote better educational tools and enhance cultural heritage literacy. Based on this, we advance and detail three main contributions: 1) a standardized model to musically annotate Iberian folk music; 2) a new database, named I-Folk, with annotated files following the proposed model; and 3) tools for navigating and retrieving folk music contents from the database. A particular emphasis is given to the educational application of the proposed model, contents, and tools in education. Ultimately, we strive for the promotion of Iberian folk music to the educators' community.