Computer-based Improvisation

From a programmers point of view, the more detail gathered about performer's technique the more feasible it becomes to construct a computer model. In theory you should be able to go as far as programming the computer to play as if its girlfriend has just walked out (i.e. blues), but what is always missing from a computer model is the actuality of being human; a computer playing the blues is tantamount oxymoron.

The computer is being very clever, but when there are thousands and thousands of people in the world doing the same thing, why bother getting a computer to? The primary reason for such research is the knowledge gained through the experience of designing such a devise.

                                                                                                             -Richard Hemmings

 

Time line showing solo phrases and pauses between them

Numerous tactics are used to negotiate the order of soloists, depending on the number of performers and their familiarity with each other.

Click here to listen to Improv. MIDI file

 

State-machine approach

Finite State Machine for two piano jazz performance

 

GenJam

GenJam (short for Genetic Jammer) is an interactive genetic algorithm that learns to play jazz solos. It may well be the only evolutionary algorithm that is a "working musician."   [John A. Biles]

AIFF Format, 562K, 50 seconds

WAV Format, 562K, 50 seconds

 

Bar

Chord Scale Pitches for new-note events 1-14

25

Fm7 Hexatonic Minor (avoid 6th) C Eb F G Ab Bb C Eb F G Ab Bb C Eb

26

Bbm7 Hexatonic Minor (avoid 6th) C Db Eb F Ab Bb C Db Eb F Ab Bb C Db

27

Eb7 Hexatonic Mixolydian (avoid 4th) C Db Eb F G Bb C Db Eb F G Bb C Db

28

AbMaj7 Hexatonic Major (avoid 4th) C Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Eb

29

DbMaj7 Hexatonic Major (avoid 4th) C Db Eb F Ab Bb C Db Eb F Ab Bb C Db

30

Gb13 Hexatonic Mixolydian (avoid 4th) Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb Db Eb

31

Cm7 Hexatonic Minor (avoid 6th) C D Eb F G Bb C D Eb F G Bb C D

32

Bdim Whole/Half Diminished D E F G Ab Bb B Db D E F G Ab Bb

Table 1. Chord-scale mappings for measures 25-32 of All the Things You Are

"random mutations"

"musically meaningful mutations"

 

a) Progressive rock keyboard-sololist            keyboardsolo.wav

b) Fusion/Progressive rock drummer to back my performances up.

                start with simple solid mappings