Description:

Musical performance requires precise multisensory coordination, yet in vocal training, the “invisible” nature of the internal instrument often leads to kinesthetic mismatches—significant misalignments between a performer’s perceived intention and their actual physical execution. This paper investigates these disconnects through a case study of respiratory control in singing pedagogy, a foundational yet notoriously difficult skill to master due to weak or misinterpreted internal cues.

By addressing two central research questions—identifying the primary breathing challenges for learners and exploring potential technological interventions—this work situates vocal-specific findings within the broader context of motor skill acquisition. Ultimately, we propose that addressing these mismatches offers a generative lens for designing interactive technologies that enhance embodied learning, with applications extending beyond music to dance, sports, and rehabilitation. We summarize these findings into a Somatic Alignment Mindset, providing a theoretical and practical framework for designing new interfaces that bridge the gap between internal sensation and physical reality.

IDMIL Participants:

• Marcelo M. Wanderley
• Ziyue Piao

External Participants:

Theodora Nestorova

Isabelle Cossette

Leon Lu

Research Areas:

• Movement Analysis

Funding:

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT)
• FQRSC

Publications:

• Piao, Z., Cossette, I., Wanderley, M. M. (2026). Reconciling Kinesthetic Mismatches: A Somatic Alignment Mindset for Musical Body Transformation. In 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Workshop (Body Transformation Experiences: A workshop on How to Elicit, Assess and Support them through Multisensory Technology) (pp. 5). Barcelona, Spain.