A Qualitative Analysis of Haptic Feedback in Music Focused Exercises

TL;DR

This study qualitatively investigates how different types of haptic feedback in digital musical instruments affect user perception and usability in real-world musical and compositional contexts over extended periods.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive qualitative analysis of haptic feedback's role in DMI usability and integration in everyday musical practices, using a novel multi-stage feedback experiment.

Findings

Haptic feedback influences perceived device usability.

Different feedback types impact user experience variably.

Extended testing captures realistic user interactions.

Abstract

We present the findings of a pilot-study that analysed the role of haptic feedback in a musical context. To examine the role of haptics in Digital Musical Instrument (DMI) design an experiment was formulated to measure the users' perception of device usability across four separate feedback stages: fully haptic (force and tactile combined), constant force only, vibrotactile only, and no feedback. The study was piloted over extended periods with the intention of exploring the application and integration of DMIs in real-world musical contexts. Applying a music orientated analysis of this type enabled the investigative process to not only take place over a comprehensive period, but allowed for the exploration of DMI integration in everyday compositional practices. As with any investigation that involves creativity, it was important that the participants did not feel rushed or restricted. That is, they were given sufficient time to explore and assess the different feedback types without constraint. This provided an accurate and representational set of qualitative data for validating the participants' experience with the different feedback types they were presented with.