Family ensemble: a collaborative musical edutainment system for children and parents

Type: conference paper

Authors: Chika Oshima, Kazushi Nishimoto, Masami Suzuki

Abstract
In this paper we propose a collaborative musical edutainment system named “Family Ensemble” (FE). FE allows a parent and his/her child to readily enjoy ensembles together at home, in this case, a piano duo, even if the parent has little or no experience in playing a musical instrument. FE makes it easier for the parent to correctly perform given melodies along with his/her child’s performance, using a score-tracking algorithm that can cope with the particular errors commonly made by beginners, i.e., children. By supporting the parent, FE prompts the child to practice the musical instrument more willingly. In experiments, we confirmed that FE can facilitate the playing of duos by pre-instrumental performers and beginners. Furthermore, we found, during a joint practice using FE, that some subjects discussed musical ideas that they could not have talked about without the system. Thus, not only does FE encourage children to willingly practice the piano but it also allows even pre-instrumental performers and beginners to aim for richer musical expression and a deeper understanding and appreciation of music.

URL: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=1027527.1027662

Associated tags
metadata ▸ material ▸ Family Ensemble
metadata ▸ contribution ▸ Evaluation
metadata ▸ year ▸ 2004
technological dimension ▸ applications ▸ Desktop
technological dimension ▸ input technologies ▸ MIDI
technological dimension ▸ system outputs ▸ Audio
musical dimension ▸ activities ▸ Performing
pedagogical dimension ▸ learning theories ▸ Behaviourism
pedagogical dimension ▸ users ▸ Pre-school, primary
pedagogical dimension ▸ users ▸ Adults M and NM
pedagogical dimension ▸ venues ▸ Classroom