Polytempo Network: A System for Technology-Assisted Conducting

This paper describes the current development of a system designed for the synchronization of musicians in polytempic music. In order to convey the tempo, an animation is used that resembles the gestures of a conductor, which is believed to be particularly comprehensible for musicians. This system offers an alternative to the use of a click track which is still the most common means for the purpose of synchronization. The possibility to combine several devices in a network allows for the synchronization of several players in ensemble music. It is hoped that this system promotes the creation and performance of music that exhibit ambitious tempo polyphony as well as spatial distribution of the musicians.