Talk:Generative music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Algorithmic composition

How does generative music differ from algorithmic music? They sound sufficiently similar to me that I think we should merge them, perhaps under the title algorithmic music. Comments? -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:38, July 22, 2005 (UTC)

Algorithmic music is a very broad category, encompassing computer assisted algorithmic composition (CAAC) (like M,DMix, etc), adaptive music (computer game music), interactive music (as instrument or player). In fact it includes any algorithmic process applied to music.

Generative music is not exactly the same, and as the various perspectives show, people from different areas use it in different ways. Within the field of algorithmic music itself, a generative algorithm is often seen as one that creates musical data from abstract/non-musical data (and is in this sense "generating" the music from "nothing"). This definition may seem kind of vague, but is explained much more thoroughly in that paper that I referred to, which is available at:

[1]

In this way a generative algorithm would be seen as distinct from transformational and analytical algorithms (all three of which are used exensively in algorithmic music). We put them all on a continuum in the paper I mentioned. Let me know if this makes sense.

220.240.26.58 22:16, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

are we going to resolve this issue? are there any other cases for merging it with algorithmic music? 210.14.98.105 23:34, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

As a composer who has used algorithmic techniques for more than 35 years, I have never put a fine point on these distinctions. I mix lots of techniques including fractals and genetic algorithms as dictated my musical and aesthetic goals. I like "algorithmic composition" as the broad cover title for what I do in the sense that a recipe serves the chef. The ingredients and techniques may vary but the hope is to produce something palatable. In the WIkipedia, it is essential that we be able to find information and examples. This already seems to work. - Gary Lee Nelson, Oberlin College.

I imagine overlapping boundaries between various systems; the Wikipedia supports this organization, and should perhaps resist merging these topics. It is my opinion that Generative music Systems represent a large category of software systems. A sine wave generator (generally considered a component of a Sound_synthesis system), for example, can be considered a Generative Music System. There are many overlaps: Interactive music Systems, systems that combine music or environmental analysis and music generation, are a type of Generative music System. Computer-Aided Algorithmic Composition (CAAC) Systems are related systems specialized towards algorithmically creating musical events and parameters. An Interactive Music System may contain CAAC sub-components. Algorithmic composition refers to both computer-based techniques (CAAC) and non-computer-based techniques (e.g. dice); software makes the difference.

I created a diagram to illustrate a way of looking at this:

I would discourage the use of the term "Algorithmic Music," as I see all music as human music, no matter what tools are used. I do not think that there is a good way to separate the so-called "Algorithmic Music" from whatever alternative is presented. - Christopher Ariza Flexatone 00:54, 14 December 2006 (UTC)