Computational Music 1
Contact information: Thor Magnusson
Email: T.Magnusson<what?>sussex.ac.uk
Where: PEV1-2A11 and ARUN-404A
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar, Class
Assessment modes: Coursework, Unseen Examination, Exercises
Prerequisites: Music and Algorithms.
Course outline :
This course explores the role that computer systems have taken as compositional
tools and instruments in the history of electronic music. Computational methods
for creating musical structures - from the microlevel of sound synthesis to
the macrolevel of pitch organisation - will be covered and examples given in
audio programming languages such as SuperCollider, Max/MSP and Pure Data.
As well as looking at a number of examples from the literature, the course will
explore some of the aesthetic, philosophical, and musicological perspectives
in the field of computer music and some small compositional studies will be
developed by the students.
Learning outcomes :
By the end of the course, a successful student should know the main events in
the history of electronic music, understand all basic synthesis and sampling
types, the role of programming languages and their characteristics as an aesthetic
factor in computer music. The successful student will know the contribution
of key individuals in the field. The student should understand the role that
computers have played in examples of musical performance and the problematics
in human computer interface issues when playing music on digital instruments.
Assessment :
Written coursework 50% - Summer term (Week 5)
Unseen exam 25%
Exercises 25%
References:
The Computer Music Tutorial by Curtis Roads
On Sonic Art by Trevor Wishart
But mainly photocopies and electronic files from the tutor.
Optional bibliography to be found [here]
And some useful links [here]
Course software :
Pure Data
SuperCollider
Max/MSP
Structure :
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