Breathing is vital for human life, hence also for music performance and perception. But what is breathing, what does it mean for music, and how can we measure it? These are questions we address in this second volume of our new research edutainment concept MusicLab.
Recent technological developments allow for non-invasive and portable solutions to collect breathing data, making it easier to quickly and efficiently see and use information from our bodies. We invite everyone to learn more about such sensing, and will test out the sensors in a musical setting in the evening.
Programme
| Time | Content | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Workshop on the FLOW sensor | Informatics library |
| 14:00 | Coffee break | Informatics library |
| 14:15 | Hands-on with FLOW | Informatics library |
| 16:00 | Dinner for workshop participants | Canteen |
| 19:00 | Intellectual warm-up | Escape |
| 20:00 | Concert | Escape |
| 21:00 | Data jockeying | Escape |
Workshop: FLOW breathing sensor
The workshop will focus on the new breathing sensor FLOW, made by the Norwegian company Sweetzpot. This is wearable breathing monitor that gives you the complete picture of your breathing activity, pattern, and rate.
Participants will be introduced to FLOW by research scientist Sagar Sen, and led through the basics of breathing data collection. Next, they try FLOW through practical exercises. Eventually, participants combine hardware and software to generate breathing patterns and visualizations. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to keep their own breathing prints and visuals.
Who can attend?
The workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound, music, physical activities, and technology. Musical and academic background does not matter as long as you are ready to get in touch with new technologies and explore the possibilities of understanding more about how you breathe.
What to bring?
Bring a laptop and/or a smartphone.
How does it work?
See below for breathing data recorded of opera singer Njål Sparbo.
Intellectual Warm-Up
The evening programme starts with an intellectual warm-up with an exciting panel:
- Respiratory physiologist Elisabeth Edvardsen
- Singer and scholar Njål Sparbo
- Research scientist Sagar Sen
- Music researcher Alexander Refsum Jensenius
They will discuss questions such as:
- What is breathing?
- What is the difference between volume and flow in breathing?
- How is breathing important for a singer
- How can breathing be measured?
Concert
The performance features three renowned Norwegian performers:
- Njål Sparbo (voice)
- Ellen Sejersted Bødtker (harp)
- Eirik Raude (percussion)
They will perform a varied set of composed and improvised pieces:
- Harp solo
- Edvard Grieg: Harpen
- Edvard Grieg: Osterlied
- Geirr Tveitt: Marskveld
- Percussion solo
- Arne Nordheim: Den første sommerfugl
- Harp solo
- Magnar Åm: Det var mjukt
- Harp/percussion improvisation
Each of the performers will wear breathing sensors during the performance, and data from some additional audience members will also be collected.
Data Jockeying (live remixing of concert data)
After the gig we invite you to stay for a beer accompanied by a data jockeying session lead by PhD fellow Tejaswinee Kelkar. This includes live analysis and remixing of data recorded during the performance.
