Music and Algorithms: G6001

Music Informatics   Level 1   Summer Term 2006   12 credits

Course tutor Alice Eldridge.  email: alicee_at_sussex_dot_ac_dot_uk

Lecturers  Alice Eldridge, Peter Copley,  Nikolaos Ionnidis

Course Outline

An introduction to the function of algorithms in musical processes. Examples are taken throughout history with an emphasis on the Western European tradition (although other world musics may be considered). This introduction focuses on explicit algorithmic processes, starting with Guido d'Arezzo in the 11th Centruy and includes such examples as 18th Century 'Dice' music. The course also examines the role algorithms may take in other music composed without any declared algorithmic base.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course you should have a broad understanding of the role algorithms have played in the process of musical composition and the relationship between algorithms and common analytical processes and methodologies. You should also be able to identify key composers who have made explicit use of algorithms and describe the nature of their application.

Assessment

Coursework:   (75%)    this is equally split between:

  • Written coursework due Weds. 31st May 4pm
  • composition exercise due Weds 24thMay   

    • Example essay titles are available here.

    Unseen exam:  (25%)     check your exam timetable!

    Past papers are available the univesrity past papers site.

    Sessions

    Lectures:   Wednesdays  1100 - 1200            EDB 121
    Seminars:  Thursdays      1400 - 1600            Russel Building rm 30   

    Core Texts

    Due to the nature of this course, there is no single textbook (badluck) which covers all the content. However, many readings will be taken from the following texts that are available in the main library, and the informatics resource centre

    • Miranda, E.R. 2001 Composing Music with Computers. Music Technology Series: Focal Press
      Main / MT 56 MIR (2 copies)
    • Cope, D. Computers and Musical Style.
      Main / MT 41 Cop (1 copy) ::: Inf lib 1 copy
    • Nyman, M. Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond
      Main library: Reserve / ML 197 Nym (1 copy) :: Short ML 197 Nym (1 copy)

    Specific weekly readings are given below. Where not available on-line, they will be available at the Informatics Resource Centre

    :: :: THESE PAGES WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE :: ::

    Week 1 :: What is an Algorithm?

    Lecture : 19/04 : Introduction and origins - Peter Copley lecture handout
    Seminar : 20/04 : prescriptive and descriptive algorithms (practical) - Alice Eldridge slides handout

    Core reading:

    • Miranda E.R: Composing Music with Computers. Ch 1.
      ( a conceptual over view )
    • Cope, D. Computers and Musical Style Ch 1.
      (an illustrated historical overview)

    Lecture references:

    seminar reading and links

    Week 2 :: Algorithm as Process

    Lecture : 26/04 - Alice Eldridge - Lecture slides: (.htm) (.pdf)
    Seminar : 27/04 Process based composition (practical) Alice Eldridge

    Core reading:

    • Nyman, M. Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond chapter 1

    Extra reading:

    Other Links

    Week 3 :: Algorithm as a Formalisation of the Compositional Process

    Lecture : 03/05 - Peter Copley Lecture handout
    Seminar : 04/05 - Nikolaos Ionnidis

    Core reading:

    • Cope, D. The Algorithmic Composer chapter 1 (p 1 - 36) A-R editions, Winsconsin. 2000
    • Gartland-Jones, A. and Copley, P. Musical Form and algorithmic Solutions
      in Proceedings of the 2005 Creatvity and Cognition Conference, ACM 608050, pp226-231
    • Schoenberg, A. Schoenberg's Tone-rows (1936) in Style and Idea. Faber and Faber, London. 1975
    • Cope, D. Experiments in Musical Intelligence chapter 1 (p 1- 23)
      (for description of dice music)

      (all lecture handouts)

    Extra reading:

    • Miranda, E.R Composing Music with Computers pp 53 – 69
      (brief intro to 2nd Viennese school, formalised music, probabilities and grammars)
    • Xenakis, I. Formalized Music (pretty heavy stuff)
    • Koenisberg, C.The serial system of composition

    Seminar reading and links


    Week 4 :: Computational Approaches to Algorithmic Composition

    Lecture : 10/05 - Alice Eldridge - Lecture slides: (.htm), (.pdf)
    Seminar : 11/05 - Alice Eldridge

    Core reading:

    Extra reading:

    Other Links

    Basic (and quite limited) Intro to computer aided composition at Thinkquest


    Week 5 :: Algorithms in Analysis

    Lecture : 17/05 - Peter Copley
    Seminar : 18/05 - Nic McKay

    Core reading:

    • Forte, A. The Structure of Atonal Music New Haven, Yale University Press (1973)
      (Lecture handout)
    • Lehrdahl, F and Jackendoff, R A Generative Theory of Tonal Music Cambridge; The MIT Press (1983)
      (Lecture handout)

    Extra reading:

    • Dunsby, J. and Whittall, A. Music Analysis in Theory and Practice, London, Faber 1988

    Week 6 :: Algorithms in practice

    Composition presentions : 25/05
    Seminar : 26/05 - Guests Tom Arthurs and Ollie Bown

    Coursework: Example Essay Titles

    Essays should be 2500 words and must be submitted as a printed document to the school office, on or before 26th MAY.

    • Discuss the relationship between algorithmic processes used in composition and common analytic methodologies. Use specific examples to illustrate your answer.
    • To what extent have historical applications of algorithms in composition influenced contemporary electronic music?
    • “All composition is algorithmic”. Discuss.
    • Discuss the strengths and limitations of understandong musical forms as algorithms.

    These are suggested titles only. If you wish to choose your own topic, you should agree a title and outline with me by the end of week 6 AT THE VERY LATEST