Abstract

Summary

Abstract:

Move-A-Sound is a project about connecting physical gestures to music-making. The primary aim is to support physical rehabilitation for both musicians and non-musicians through web-based apps.

Users perform an exercise (or a set of exercises) in front of the camera. Each successful repetition changes an unfolding piece of music. Users receive visual feedback and encouragement during the session, alongside the auditory feedback. Medical staff can review session data describing range of motion, speed of motion, number of repetitions, and more.

The goal is to make exercising with Move-A-Sound more enjoyable (or at least less tedious) than traditional exercise, and to motivate users to practice even when no medical staff are present.

Move-A-Sound extends ideas developed for the performance app Thormulator, which was presented in a live performance at SuperCollider Symposium 2025 hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC.

In Thormulator notes and chords played by the performer decide the course of action, in Move-A-Sound physical gestures, in the form of exercises, drives and colors an unfolding musical landscape.

Two versions of the app currently exist as prototypes. In my demo, I’ll show live gesture-to-music control and a sample data report.

Bio

Thor Madsen is a Danish guitarist, composer, and artistic researcher. After a decade in New York and years of touring and recording worldwide, he now focuses on coupling music-making and technology while maintaining an active performing and recording career. His collaborations with saxophonist Lars Møller and drummer Jonas Johansen have taken him across India, Brazil, and Europe with master musicians from Indian, African, and Brazilian traditions. Appointed Adjunct Professor (2016) and Associate Professor (2021) at the Danish National Academy of Music, he develops contemporary rhythmic music pedagogy.