Preamble
- Course Title: Musical Expression via New Interfaces (NIME): Creating and Composing Unique Interactive Performances (uisa 115, previously 190)
- CRN: 42558
- Credits: 3
- Prerequisites: There is no pre-required course needed to enroll in this uisa course. A laptop running macOS or Windows, however, is strongly encouraged.
- Day: Monday
- Time: 2:20 – 4:50 pm
- Room: Beatrice Fox Auerbach Hall, 320 (map )
- Dates: 22 August – 5 December 2022
- Professor: Roy Vanegas (pronounced “vuh-nay-gus”)
- Email: vanegas at hartford dot edu
- Phone: 860.768.5925
- Office: Charles A Dana Hall, 310B
- Office hours: I meet students via Zoom on the following days (click here for details):
- Monday: 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Tuesday: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Description
This course will walk students through the process of creating a new interface for musical expression, or nime, and use it to compose and perform an original musical work. Students will learn skills in both technical and creative fields in order to effectively capture sensory data and transform them into sound. Various topics in electronic music composition will be covered to give students a wide range of possible directions in which to develop their nimes. This includes computer programming for audio, sound design and effects processing, musical structure, fabrication, and electronic circuitry. The course concludes with a concert in which students perform original compositions for their nimes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate...
- How to create a New Interface for Musical Expression, or nime;
- How to play and perform their nimes;
- The ability to translate physical movement to light, sound, and visuals. These concepts are best summarized by the following 50-second video: https://bit.ly/3bhlIZp;
- The ability to compose elementary electronic compositions.
Software Requirements
This course will focus on two tools: Max and Arduino. These tools are powerful and flexible, and are therefore standard in nime courses throughout the world. While aspects of the Arduino platform are free (schematics and software, primarily), Max and the Arduino board are not. A software-based nime utilizing Max and Arduino sensors might cost as little as $99, but could cost more, depending on the kind of nime you choose to create.
If, on the other hand, you design a nime using other hardware (Wii Remotes, Kinect Sensors, etc), found objects, off-the-shelf parts, or some combination of the aforementioned items, your cost could be next to nothing. It will be up to you what tools and hardware to use to realize the vision of your nime.
Schedule
Important Dates
- Labor Day — No class (Week 3): Monday, 5 September 2022
- Thanksgiving recess — No class (Week 14): Monday, 21 November 2022
- Final presentations — Last day of classes (Week 16): Monday, 5 December 2022
Class | Topics | Homework |
---|---|---|
One |
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Two |
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Three |
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Four |
|
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Five |
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Six |
|
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Seven |
|
n/a |
Eight |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Nine |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Ten |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Eleven |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Twelve |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Thirteen |
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Work on final project performance/presentation |
Fourteen |
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None. Enjoy the break! |
Fifteen |
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Thoroughly test your final projects |
Sixteen |
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Have a happy and safe break! |
Assignments and Grading
The midterm, a set of weekly check-ins, and a final performance of your nime make up 80% of your grade. Course Participation makes up the final 20%. The full breakdown of your final course grade is as follows:
- 1 × Mid-course presentation of the development of your nime project (25%)
- 6 × Post-midterm weekly check-ins (30%)
- 1 × Final performance, complete with score, of your nime (25%)
- Semester-long participation, including active listening, taking part in our in-class discussions, and, providing feedback to your peers on their work (20%)
Students with Disabilities
Read about how The University of Hartford supports students with disabilities: https://www.hartford.edu/academics/academic-support/accessibility-services/default.aspx
Office Hours
- Office: Charles A Dana Hall, 310B
- Office hours: I meet students via Zoom on the following days (click here for details):
- Monday: 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Tuesday: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 – 11:00 am