The University of Maryland has recently launched an institute focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. One of the programs utilizing this technology is VAIolin, which helps individuals learn to play the violin by assessing their posture. Anna Kelleher, a Master’s student in Music Performance, discovered that the AI technology greatly improved her violin posture.
Snehesh Shrestha, a Ph.D. student in Computer Science, is part of the team that developed VAIolin. The software provides on-screen feedback to help players maintain proper posture. Cornelia Fermüller, a Research Scientist and Co-Director of the Perception and Robotics Group, explained how machine learning and neural networks power the technology.
VAIolin uses a computer’s built-in camera to recognize a player’s posture while holding a violin. 7News On Your Side’s Lindsey Mastis, who is just beginning to learn how to play the violin, tried out the technology and saw immediate improvements in her sound by simply adjusting her posture. She also tested a haptic wrist strap that simulates the sensation of a violin bow on strings, helping students with tempo and practice.
The development team aims to make the technology accessible at a low cost so that more people can quickly and safely improve their violin skills. Anna Kelleher shared her experience of helping her mother’s students practice the violin when she was younger, highlighting the importance of accessible tools like VAIolin for aspiring musicians.