The Stretchy Strap: supporting encumbered interaction with guitars

Abstract

Guitarists struggle to play their instruments while simultaneously using additional computing devices (i.e., encumbered interaction). We explored designs with guitarists through co-design and somaesthetic design workshops, learning that they (unsurprisingly) preferred to focus on playing their guitars and keeping their instruments’ material integrity intact. Subsequently, we devised an interactive guitar strap controller, which guitarists found promising for tackling encumbered interaction during instrumental transcription, learning and practice. Our design process highlights three strategies: considering postural interaction, applying somaesthetic design to interactive music technology development, and augmenting guitar accessories.