Concept Definition and Aim

After some guidance last week, I have worked with defining my concept. To figure out what I want the final product to offer, I started by writing my visions down on paper. My concept is the result of all my research so far, and I want it to be a working solution for my defined problem statement.

Firstly, it is important that the gadget is fun and simple. Based on the results from my research, it should not become an element of stress. I want it to compliment normal music lessons, but I would not want it to be controlled by any teacher. The music students can be recommended to use the gadget, but not forced in any way. The results will not be the same if they are not motivated on their own.

It will not be possible to share or save scores. However, there will be integrated feedback after each sequence. The users can see if their mimic was correct or not. Due to motivational purposes, I want the focus to be on positive feedback. The gadget will tell when melodies are played wrong, but the goal is to motivate users to try again.

When making my first sketches and paper prototype, I visioned the product to only contain one big button. When developing the concept further, I figured that I should implement some additional buttons. I want it to look simple and easy to understand, but also include all essential functionalities. It should be possible to pause the sound, as well as replaying it. It would also be reasonable to enable a skip button, one for returning to the past sound and one for skipping to the next one. In addition, I will of course add buttons to control the sound level. All the buttons should follow standard patterns and communicate actions clearly.

To define the objective in a clear manner, I composed an aim and the intented user group.

Aim

Inspire and encourage musicians to improvise and play by ear.

The product can be used as:

  1. An education tool to compliment classical training
  2. A fun game for sharing musical exploration with friends

User group

Curious musicians in all ages and levels.

Concept Idea: Mimic Box

The next step in my design process is to develop a concept. In this phase, I find it particularly challenging not to have anyone to spar with. Nevertheless, it is helpful to sketch ideas and discuss them with myself.   

I started making scribbles of a music exploration park with instrument installations, performance spaces and music trails. However, I was not too inspirated to develop this concept further. I searched the web for existing products and tried to think of new inventions. After looking back at my old notes, I finally ideated a concept that motivates me. 

I want to make a small portable music gadget that could make a big difference for individuals. The gadget will in this article be referred as the Mimic Box.

Message to user: “Be a Parrot”.

What

The mimic box will encourage musicians to play by ear. It will play random melody snippets, and the users are supposed to mimic the sounds they hear, without any help from musical notation. It will work for a wide variety of instruments, such as piano, violin, trumpet, and even vocal.  

Why

The tool will help musicians to free themselves from rules and music sheets. They will develop a trained ear for music, and intentionally get inspiration to jam and improvise more. My research throughout the winter semester shows that in many cases, musical notation seems scary and music lessons becomes serious too quickly. It is important to stay playful and experimental to feel a pure joy for music. 

In addition, the tool will invite to social interaction and co-playing. It may be used as a competition-based game, which creates a community within the music field. 

How

  1. User pushes button
    – Box starts playing a random melody
    – LED ring lights up on every tone
    – Melody ends
  2. User pushes button
    – Box starts recording
  3. User mimic melody
  4. User pushes button
    – Recording ends
  5. Feedback! (Green, yellow or red color)

The given feedback will be based on how well the user mimicked the melody.