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Violinist wants to make music a more immersive experience for the person performing it

When you think of immersive music, you probably think of it from the listener’s point of view — surround sound, an interactive show, something along those lines.

But for Seth Thorn, immersive music is all about those who are playing it.

Thorn is a violinist and clinical assistant professor in the School of Arts, Media and Engineering at Arizona State University. In his work, he experiments with things like wearable music and circuit bending. He joined The Show to about one of his latest projects: active shoulder rests.

If you’ve ever played the violin — or seen someone play one — you’ll know that the musician sits their instrument atop their shoulder to play using a shoulder rest. But, Thorn’s shoulder rests come alive, letting the player feel the vibrations of the music they’re playing in a whole new way.

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Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.