New AI technology from the University of Maryland enhances violin playing skills

The University of Maryland has launched a new institute dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI). One program using this technology is VAIolin, which helps people learn to play the violin by assessing their posture. Anna Kelleher, a Master’s student in Music Performance, found that the AI technology helped her improve 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 that machine learning and neural networks are used to power the technology.

The VAIolin technology uses a computer’s built-in camera to recognize a player’s posture while holding a violin. 7News On Your Side’s Lindsey Mastis, a beginner in playing 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 vibrates to simulate the sensation of a violin bow on strings, helping students with tempo and practice.

The development team aims to make the technology available at a low cost so that more people can improve their violin skills quickly and safely. Anna Kelleher shared her experience of helping her mother’s students practice the violin when she was younger, emphasizing the importance of accessible tools like VAIolin for aspiring musicians.