The composition-instrument in music for interactivity
The question, "composition or instrument?" is interesting to consider when one wants to bring music into an interactive application or mediated environment. Usually, a composition is something that is "listened to," whereas an instrument is "performed upon." However, if a composition is interactive and can be shaped to follow the path of an interaction, to a certain extent it functions as an instrument. For example, an interactive composition for a web site interface can be "played" as someone navigates the site. Users may not specifically approach their interaction in this way, but they certainly could—turning the site's music and indeed the site itself into an instrument.
The experience of the user or audience, as either listener(s) or performer(s), is one determining factor between instrument and composition. The intentions of the artist who is responsible for the work suggests the mode of experience, but the difference is ultimately defined by the way in which the audience chooses their experience.
The experience of the user or audience, as either listener(s) or performer(s), is one determining factor between instrument and composition. The intentions of the artist who is responsible for the work suggests the mode of experience, but the difference is ultimately defined by the way in which the audience chooses their experience.
