Computer Musicking: HCI, CSCW and Collaborative Digital Musical Interaction

Abstract

We are interested in the design of software to transform single user devices such as laptop computers into a platform for collaborative musical interaction. Our work draws on existing theories of group musical interaction and studies of collaboration in the workplace. This chapter explores the confluence of these domains, giving particular attention to challenges posed by the auditory nature of music and the open-ended characteristics of musical interaction. Our methodological approach is described and a study is presented which contrasts three interface designs for collaborative musical interaction. Significant results are discussed, showing that the different interface designs influenced the way groups structured their collaboration. We conclude by proposing several design implications for collaborative music software, and outline directions for future work.