2012 Theses Doctoral

Laptop Improvisation in a Multi-Dimensional Space

Pluta, Samuel Francis

Using information theory as a foundation, this paper defines virtuosity in the context of laptop performance, outlines a number of challenges that face laptop performers and software designers, and provides solutions that have been implemented in the author's own software environment. A summary of the argument is that by creating a multi-dimensional environment of Sonic Vector Spaces (see page 17) and implementing a method for quickly traversing that environment, a performer is able to create enough information flow to achieve laptop virtuosity. At the same time, traversing this multi-dimensional environment produces a perceptible sonic language that can add structural signposts for the listener to latch on to in performance. Specifics of the author's personal approach to this problem, a software environment coded in SuperCollider, are then shared. Lastly, Mihà¡ly Csà­kszentmihà¡lyi's concept of flow psychology is applied to the three stages of creation in the laptop performance process - software design, patch design, and performance.