From Mathematical Concepts to Hands-on Interaction: Physical Modeling and Interaction Paradigms of Tablas and Singing Bowls

In this paper I discuss recent research in sound synthesis and musical performance. Two fields have developed that are concerned with two separate but connected questions: (1) How can we come up with synthesis algorithms that are based on the physics of musical instruments, which are fast enough to be useful for life performance? (2) How can we build new musical instruments that are engaging, meaningful and “feel right” for the performer, the audience and the composer? In the field that studies the first question, it has been realized quite early, that the fact that the synthesis algorithms are driven by physically meaningful parameters makes them very suitable for use with physical input devices that register related parameters. Similarly it has been realized by instrument designers that it is helpful in leveraging expert skills on existing instruments when designing new ones. This has led to a synergy of algorithm and instrument design, whose cross-relationship are to be discussed in this paper.