Using a Leap Motion device, Adam Somers turned his computer monitor into a harp.
By Krislyn Placide Posted 12.07.2012 at 4:04 pm 5 Comments

AirHarp
AirHarp Courtesy YouTube

It looks like magic, but it's just technology. For a casual weekend hack, developer Adam Somers used a Leap Motion USB motion sensor device to turn his computer into a musical instrument. By adjusting settings in the AirHarp app and waving his fingers around like a wizard casting a hex, Somers was able to recreate the sound of a harp, playing in different keys, melodies and timbres. Watch the video to see and hear what we're talking about.

Want to know how he did it? You can browse the C++ source of the hack. Try it if you're computer science-savvy and have a hankering for some folk or classical harp tunes. You can preorder a Leap Motion device here.

5 Comments

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Robot
12/07/12 at 4:12 pm

A modern swag of an old Star Trek Theremin, how nice! ;)

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Robot
12/07/12 at 5:19 pm

Since this artical is about muscial notes, I like to leave on a postive note too.

The Mayan calendar is 5125.36 years long.
Now for any culture to make plans with
5125 years in mind, they must have an optimistic
point of view.

The only thing coming on 22nd December 2012 is a new
begining of a wonderful new calander for
the old Mayan culuture with a promising
future more of 5125.36 years!!!!!!!!

Now worries, be happy, point at your computer screen and enjoy pretty music!!!!!!

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TerryToo
12/07/12 at 5:57 pm

Would someone please use this same approach to create actual human speech, not merely music?!??! Matthew, are you listening? Is anyone?

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ClauseitNERD
12/09/12 at 12:07 pm

A harp is cool, but why not use someDeadmau5 and Skrillex samples in the strings??? The things a DJ could do with this tech... #thumbsup

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critical_mach
01/18/13 at 5:56 pm

Just got my free Leap Dev kit! I 'm about to compile AirHarp! This is a huge technological 'Leap' lol!



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