TABstaff+: A HYBRID MUSIC NOTATION SYSTEM FOR GRID-BASED TANGIBLE USER INTERFACES (TUIs) AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES (GUIs)

TABstaff+ is a hybrid music notation developed for gridbased user interfaces. The system builds on notational elements and conventions of tablature, standard five-line staff notation, and chord diagrams. TABstaff+ strives to facilitate teaching and learning, composition and production, and performance using grid-based tangible user interfaces (TUIs) and graphical user interfaces (GUIs). For usability testing, the study involved seven participants, music production and composition students (ages 13 to 19) with prior musical experience. The paper considers the Ableton Push instrument to illustrate the application and adaptability of the TAB+, Staff+, and Charts+ notation systems. These notation systems aim to further the development of postdigital practices by leveraging Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and pre-digital practices of reading, playing, and teaching music using instruments and notation. TABstaff+ aims to be a transferable music notation system that allows educators and practicing musicians to utilize the pedagogical and creative capabilities of musical grid interfaces.