Pitch Fingering Systems and the Search for Perfection

Travis West

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

In the search for better designs, one tool is to specify the design problem such that globally optimal solutions can be found. I present a design process using this approach, its strengths and limitations, and its results in the form of four pitch fingering systems that are ergonomic, simple, and symmetric. In hindsight, I emphasize the subjectivity of the design process, despite its reliance on objective quantitative assessment.

Citation

Travis West. 2022. Pitch Fingering Systems and the Search for Perfection. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.21428/92fbeb44.d6c9dcae

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{NIME22_42,
 abstract = {In the search for better designs, one tool is to specify the design problem such that globally optimal solutions can be found. I present a design process using this approach, its strengths and limitations, and its results in the form of four pitch fingering systems that are ergonomic, simple, and symmetric. In hindsight, I emphasize the subjectivity of the design process, despite its reliance on objective quantitative assessment.},
 address = {The University of Auckland, New Zealand},
 articleno = {42},
 author = {West, Travis},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.21428/92fbeb44.d6c9dcae},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {jun},
 pdf = {53.pdf},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/4QB3sNRmK1E},
 title = {Pitch Fingering Systems and the Search for Perfection},
 url = {https://doi.org/10.21428%2F92fbeb44.d6c9dcae},
 year = {2022}
}