Exploiting Mimetic Theory for Instrument Design

This paper will present a first instrument and discuss its design method, derived from principles informed by mimetic theories. The purpose of these design principles is to create new and innovative digital music instruments. Even though mimetic theories are known to be important in the communication, engagement and expression of music performance, this ongoing enquiry represents the first consolidated effort to develop design principles from mimetic theories. 1, 2 As part of the project, a development cycle is being followed to produce, evaluate and improve the design principles, and as part of this paper, a first prototype will be presented. This paper covers a short description of the first prototype, describes the design process towards developing some generically applicable design principles and covers some of the underlying theories around empathy, communicative musicality and mimetic participation.