Evolving Tooka: from Experiment to Instrument

The Tooka was created as an exploration of two person instruments. We have worked with two Tooka performers to enhance the original experimental device to make a musical instrument played and enjoyed by them. The main additions to the device include: an additional button that behaves as a music capture button, a bend sensor, an additional thumbactuated pressure sensor for vibrato, additional musical mapping strategies, and new interfacing hardware. These developments arose through experiences and recommendations from the musicians playing it. In addition to the changes to the Tooka, this paper describes the learning process and experiences of the musicians performing with the Tooka. Keywords Musician-centred design, two-person musical instrument.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: NIME
• Authors: Sidney Fels, Linda Kaastra, Sachiyo Takahashi, Graeme McCaig
• Keywords: Additional Musical Mapping, Musical Instrument, NIME 2004, Two-person Musical Instrument