Musical Instruments in Extended Reality: A Systematic Review

Research in various fields has highlighted the benefits of using extended reality (XR) in many applications. However, the use of musical instruments in this context remains largely unexplored. This article presents a systematic review in which the existing literature is compiled and analyzed to identify the current state of research. A systematic search of four electronic databases of articles published in English since 2010 was conducted. After merging duplicates, a total of 2849 unique records were identified, of which 74 were included in the analysis. The review reveals a diverse landscape of XR applications, ranging from music learning to rehabilitation therapies. Diverse interaction modalities and factors affecting the musician’s experience have been identified. XR technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for musicians; however, technological limitations pose challenges to creating fully satisfying experiences. This review is intended to guide future research that supports the development of new forms of musical expression in XR.