We Can Do More to Save Guqin: Design and Evaluate Interactive Systems to Make Guqin More Accessible to the General Public

Title of the Paper

We Can Do More to Save the Guqin: Designing and Evaluating Interactive Systems to Make the Guqin More Accessible to the Public

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Application of Human-Computer Interaction Technology in the Preservation of Traditional Culture
• Keywords: Guqin Art, Augmented Reality, Cultural Preservation, Interaction Design, Virtual Reality

Research Background and Issues

• Identified Problems or Challenges:
  The Guqin, a traditional Chinese seven-stringed instrument with a history of over 3,000 years, is recognized as a UNESCO "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." However, its preservation faces severe challenges in modern society. Despite various promotional efforts by the government and related associations, the popularity of the Guqin remains low. Surveys indicate that many people lack opportunities to engage with the Guqin, and the high learning threshold poses challenges for beginners, such as difficulty in quickly mastering finger techniques and rhythm, as well as challenges in reading Guqin notation.

• Research Motivation and Significance:
  The Guqin is not only a symbol of Chinese culture but also holds a significant place in Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. However, its current state of preservation is concerning. The development of modern interactive technologies offers new possibilities for promoting this traditional art form. Designing innovative systems to lower the learning barrier and make the Guqin more accessible to the public is of great importance for the preservation and transmission of this endangered art.

Solution

• Proposed Methods or Solutions:
  This study proposes two interactive systems to address the aforementioned issues:

  1. Virtual Guqin System (VirGuqin): Utilizing low-cost motion tracking devices (e.g., Kinect), this system allows users to experience playing the Guqin without needing a physical instrument, aiming to spark public interest in the Guqin.
  2. Mixed Reality Guqin System (MRGuqin): Designed to assist beginners in learning, this system leverages Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to lower the learning threshold, helping users master finger techniques, rhythm, and understand Guqin notation.

• Innovative Points:

  1. VirGuqin introduces a virtual Guqin and an interactive teaching model, enabling the public to experience playing without a physical instrument;
  2. MRGuqin combines virtual environments with real-time feedback, displaying finger technique and rhythm cues through head-mounted displays, significantly reducing learning difficulty;
  3. In terms of notation design, the complex Guqin jianzi notation is translated into easily understandable graphical symbols (e.g., colors, arrows).

• Implementation Steps and Key Technologies:

  • VirGuqin employs Kinect motion capture to map users' hand positions to a virtual string area, providing real-time visual and auditory feedback;
  • MRGuqin overlays finger technique and gesture cues onto the user's view, combined with virtual environments to enhance comprehension and engagement in learning;
  • The systems are designed with "teaching mode" and "creative mode" to facilitate the transition from basic practice to free composition.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Outcomes:

  1. VirGuqin was deployed in a museum, where 308 participants used it, and 89% reported a significant increase in interest in learning the Guqin.
  2. MRGuqin, when tested among beginners, improved learning speed by approximately 50%, and performance in playing was superior to traditional methods (teacher-assessed course performance improved by 19.9%-26.17%; system audio analysis showed similarity scores increased by 18.36%-29.51%).

• Comparison with Existing Solutions:

  • Compared to solutions requiring wearable sensor gloves, VirGuqin uses non-intrusive, low-cost equipment;
  • Compared to traditional Guqin teaching methods, MRGuqin provides more intuitive feedback and guidance, significantly boosting user confidence and interest in learning.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  1. The systems currently rely on pre-stored Guqin pieces; future plans include developing technology for automatically generating finger technique cues;
  2. MRGuqin lacks feedback on the correctness of users' finger postures, which could be addressed by introducing correction features;
  3. The impact of this study is currently limited to experimental settings, and its long-term effects on cultural understanding and public awareness remain uncertain;
  4. The potential research area of how Guqin music influences human behavior and thought warrants further exploration.