VocalCords: Exploring Tactile Interaction and Performance with the Singing Voice

Abstract

The close relationship between touch, gesture, and sound plays a critical role in expressive musical performance. Many acoustic instruments, ranging from strings to brass to percussion, involve some coupling of the “feel” of the instrument in the hands and the corresponding sound produced. The singing voice, however, is one of few musical instruments that typically does not involve touch-mediated interaction. Despite several neurological, psychological, and social connections demonstrated between the hands and voice, the coupling of touch and voice is surprisingly absent from traditional vocal performance technologies. This provides the motivation for VocalCords, which explores the design of a new digital music interface inviting tactile interaction and performance with the singing voice. The interface makes use of physical rubber cords, acting as stretch sensors, which are pulled and manipulated by the hands of the singer as they vocalize to augment and modify their voice in real-time – as if they were able to physically “touch” their own vocal cords. This approach allows for expressive, tactile control over the singing voice, which suggests a striking relationship between physical and musical tension. Through a series of prototyping iterations and a public performance with the interface, I explore the potential of touch-mediated vocal performance, as well as how this added tactile interaction may alter our experience with, and perception of, our singing voices.