Instrumental intentionality: an exploration of mediated intentionality in musical improvisation

Abstract

This paper examines the musician/instrument relationship through exploring notions of mediated intentionality. Ihde’s (1990) writings are taken as a starting point for examining these human–technology relationships with a particular focus on the intentionality of the human-instrument construction. Notions of instruments as mediators of intentionality are then examined from a variety of standpoints found in improvisational practice, with a focus on different conceptions of mediation, instrumental resistance and instrumental agency. Verbeek’s (2008, 387–395) conception of Cyborg Intentionality is explored as one way to extend these notions within a post-phenomenological posthuman framework. To help contextualise this discussion the author presents a performance system, the Feral Cello, whose design has been informed by the above discussion. Verbeek’s hybrid and composition notions of intentionality are used as a framework for reflection upon the performance system.