Biosensors & Biofeedback in Music Chelsea Douglas

History & Early Development Biofeedback first became first became viewed as a musical tool in the late 1960s. – David Rosenboom (Brainwave Music) and Alvin Lucier were two American composers who explored the use of biosensors in music. Now biosignals with music are used as digital signals and can be used to control aspects of the music – Dubost and Tanaka refer to this as bio-control instead of bio-feedback. Biofeedback is often related to emotional state Depending on the individual biofeedback can be controlled.

Measures of Biofeedback Measures of Biofeedback include: – Galvanic Skin Response Dependent on moisture level – Heart Rate Monitoring – Body Temperature – EEG (Electroencephalography) Sensors placed on scalp measure electrical activity/ionic current flows within the neurons of the brain

Example Device Brain Pulse Music Machine – Headset – Measures activity in the frontal ( ability to recognize future consequences resulting from current actions ) and parietal (sensory information) lobes – Converts this activity into sounds – Approximate cost = $699.99

How Biosensors Work sTs sTs Beatback Uses GSR

Composition & Performance Examples Alvin Lucier, (American Composer) – Clocker (1991): Massimiliano Peretti (Contemporary Artist) – Amigdalae Project (2005) Measures Biofeedback with GSR, EEG, Body Temp and Heart Rate Audience views video art while biofeedback controls and alters the musical accompaniment.

Other Uses Music Therapy – Reward controlled by biofeedback – Research Companies – Market products with biofeedback to create custom music Exercise Relaxation – Performance anxiety – Idea that continuous exchange of feedback between music and individual enhances experience Relaxation