Strategies for Engagement in Computer-Mediated Musical Performance

A general strategy for encouraging embodied engagement within musical interface design is introduced. A pair of ex-ample implementations of this strategy are described, one tangible and one graphical. As part of a potentially larger set within our general approach, two separate relationships are described termed `decay and contribution' and `instability and adjustment', which are heavily dependent on the action requirements and timeliness of the interaction. By suggesting this process occurs on a timescale of less than one second it is hoped attentiveness and engagement can be en-couraged to the possible benefit of future developments in digital musical instrument design.