What is instrumentality in new digital msuical devices ? A contribution from cognitive linguistics and psychology

TL;DR

This paper examines the evolution of musical instruments from mechanical to digital forms, analyzing historical developments and discourses to understand changes in instrumentality through cognitive linguistics and psychology.

Contribution

It offers a multidisciplinary analysis of how digital instruments have transformed the concept of instrumentality in musicology and computer music.

Findings

Historical overview of technological developments in musical instruments

Analysis of discourses and terminologies in musicology and computer music

Insights into the cognitive and psychological aspects of digital instrumentality

Abstract

As far as music is concerned, instruments have always been part of a cultural ?landscape? (on technical, expressive and symbolic levels). The present contribution explores the changes brought about by the shift that occurred during the 20th century, from mechanical to digital instruments (also named ?virtual instruments?). First and foremost, a short recall of some historical steps of the technological developments that have renewed our relationship to sound, music, and instruments will be presented. Second, an analysis of different discourses and terminologies presently used in the domains of musicology and computer music will account for the evolution of the notion of instrumentality.