Exploring Human Adaptations in M-RTC (Music Real-Time Communications): A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The research explored how musicians adapt to technology and how they adapt musically and cognitively within the technical and distanced environment of Music Real-Time Communication (M-RTC). Tracing its roots from the U.S. Air Force's 1950s SAGE radar system to today's high-speed Internet, the study highlights the crucial role of the Internet in facilitating real-time collaboration and music sharing. Understanding the technical requirements and challenges of real-time online musicking, alongside necessary cognitive and musical accommodations, addresses the problem of spatial separation and the perception challenges imposed by physical distance. Implemented through a qualitative observational study based on user experiences, the project included real-time online music sessions followed by post-project semi-structured interviews, identifying the adaptations musicians make during real-time online musicking. Case One involved participants from Israel and the United States performing John Lennon's "Imagine." Case Two consisted of observations from M-RTC sessions accessed through social media and platforms like JackTrip, JamKazam, Jamulus, and SonoBus. Case Three included sessions with musicians that I was acquainted with, either through professional organizations or friendship, that had some experience in M-RTC. Through these three cases, three overarching themes emerged: Adaptation to Technology, Adaptation of Sound Embodiment, and Social Experience. The theme of Adaptation to Technology emphasizes the importance of suitable instruction for implementing M-RTC, commitment to learning, and sufficient time for skill acquisition. The Adaptation of Sound Embodiment theme showcases how sensory awareness, spatial hybridization, and interaction dynamics intertwine through music technology tools in musicians’ cognition. The Social Experience theme highlights how collaborative musicking strengthens social bonds and transcends geographical barriers. M-RTC offers a consistent platform for teaching and learning, from music education to cultural exchange, ensuring continuity even when faced with world circumstances that may prevent in-person gatherings. This study's findings offer significant insights into the ways musicians adapt to and navigate the technical and social environment of real-time online musicking, contributing to broader implications for music practice and education in the digital age.