A 2013 study in Sweden found that when a choir joins voices, the singers' heart rates begin to beat in sync with one another. Although no genre is universal, part of what makes music deeply compelling for both listeners and musicians is the shared, social experience. In the same vein, an oft-overlooked piece of advice for beginner musicians is surprisingly not related to practice, instrument, technique, or skill level - it's to make friends.
From performing in competitive orchestras and choral ensembles to playing late-night gigs at DIY basement shows, I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with a wide range of musicians in the past 15 years. What I've seen is that regardless of skill level or environment, part of what pushes musicians to evolve and grow is the relationships between musicians themselves.
This project was completed in the span of 9 weeks for the MPS Program in UX Studies at Maryland Institute College of Art. My role was the sole designer of this project, from research, user interviews, prototyping and UI design.
Without spaces like venues, concerts, and in-person lessons or events, artists are largely reliant on seeking those connections virtually.
Musicians who are seeking connections with other artists and resources need to adapt to virtual outreach methods because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but find connecting on social media intimidating, superficial, and discouraging.
By combining elements from social media platforms like TikTok, Clubhouse, and Instagram, Buzzroll elevates the social experience of open mics, workshops, and casual in-person meetups.
Musicians can share their experiences, seek out advice and mentorship, and get feedback on works-in-progress. By focusing on the social interaction between musicians rather than metrics like streams, listens, views, and follower counts, Buzzroll aims to foster connection in the online music community during the pandemic and beyond.
<aside> 🖥️ View the prototype here.
</aside>
Self-taught musicians
Musicians learning a new instrument from home or pursuing their passion from scratch do not have the advantage of leaning on institutional connections from private lessons or schooling. Researching a virtual solution can help connect these musicians to mentors and peers who can help them strategize and grow their skills during COVID-19.
Independent artists
Independent musicians who were economically dependent on gigs suffered greatly when the pandemic closed music venues and live performances. A virtual solution that could allow independent artists promote their music and connect with other emerging artists can help them adapt to the changing market.