Abstract
The SpiderHarp is a bioinspired musical instrument that models and explores the ability of spiders to interpret web vibrations. Originally developed for research into spider perception, the system performance was optimized through the process of transforming it into a musical instrument. Whereas arachnid-inspired compositions and spider- and weblike instruments are extant in the literature on new instruments and interfaces, the SpiderHarp has a distinguishing capability to translate physical plucks on a web into position, distance, and amplitude data at a latency and consistency viable for musical performance, similar to a MIDI controller, which is used as input to custom music software in Max. The interplay and coemergence of the actuating gestures, interface layout, and performance practice are described, as well as web construction and the principal concepts behind the pluck localization algorithm. A couple of compositions have been produced, exploring the spiderHarp's unique characteristics.
