Body, Brain, Machine: Research in Music Performance

How do bodies, brains, instruments, technologies, and social structures shape what musicians can do? This practicum introduces students to interdisciplinary research on musical performance, human ability, learning, accessibility, biomechanics, neuroscience, ergonomics, technology, and education. Students contribute to active research projects through literature review, study design, motion capture, MIDI analysis, physiological measurement, qualitative observation, prototyping, documentation, and research communication. The course examines musical performance as both an artistic practice and a research site, asking how physical, neural, technological, and social differences affect training, access, and power.