Collaborative musical improvisation in a laptop ensemble with LOLC

Abstract

This paper discusses LOLC, a text-based collaborative music improvisation system for laptop ensemble developed by the authors. The paper evaluates LOLC in the context of a recent performance by professional classical musicians with minimal computer experience. Using qualitative data from interviews with the performers and quantitative data from server logs, the paper considers the degree to which LOLC facilitated collaborative improvisation among the musicians and the degree to which LOLC was accessible to non-programmers to learn and perform.

From the Lab to the Stage: Practical Considerations on Designing Performances with Immersive Virtual Musical Instruments

“…These choices and changes can be highlighted for the benefit of the audience-or even of other musicians, if they are not involved in the sharing process. Communication modes, such as exchanging messages or gestures indications, can also be amplified for the audience, as done in [51] since they can be less visible than with acoustic ensembles. Finally, organisation modes, which allow musicians to define roles such as conductor and groups within the orchestra, are usually obvious from spatial arrangement of musicians in acoustic ensembles and might need to be reinforced for the audience of digital orchestras.…”

BOEUF: A Unified Framework for Modeling and Designing Digital Orchestras

“…The Reactable [12] is a multi-user instrument based on a tabletop tangible user interface. LOLC [13] is an orchestra that relies on live-coding and instant messaging. The Hub [8] is one of the first digital orchestras.…”