[eu-gene] Re: Psst...Wanna Buy an Algorithm? (Working Title)

[Paul Brown]

Hello Alice,
 
This is a question that you have doubtlessly been asked many times
before so please forgive me in advance if you find replying tedious but
as someone who uses cellular automata to generate music do you consider
yourself as a scientist who uses generative music systems to interpret
nature aurally or an artist who uses nature as inspiration to create new
music using generative systems to aid that process or simply both? 
 
Also do you think that algorithms, source code and other "raw" materials
are essential components in the process of creating music using
generative music systems? Do you consider, for example, that it is
possible to create an independent standalone, but interactive,
generative music system that relies on traditional music rules, access
to a palette of sounds and the input of digitalised external data to
further enhance and create music? Naturally, the sounds in the
generative system could be updated by the introduction of new ones so
that the music remains fresh but does the palette constitute as an
algorithm. Frankly, I have become unclear as to what the definition of
an algorithm is in the context of generative music. What is your
definition? 
 
Thanks 
 
Paul
 
-----Original Message-----
From: eu-gene-bounces at generative.net
[mailto:eu-gene-bounces at generative.net] On Behalf Of Alice Eldridge
Sent: 16 October 2005 22:21
To: generative art
Subject: Re: [eu-gene] Re: Psst...Wanna Buy an Algorithm? (Working
Title)
 
 
 
In my opinion generative tools for musicians using computers live will 
become more and more de rigueur when attempting to add that 'live 
improv' feel that can be difficult to recreate using software.  However,

these are still but tools, and should not depended upon entirely in a 
performative context.
 
 
Well you might well be right with your prediction, but the software you
describe do not sound as though they are "still but tools."  They sound
like they are automatic music varying systems, with real creative input
into your performance.  The author of this jamming software is having
creative input into your live performance.  This goes far beyond the
role of a simple tool.
 
 
i don't really see why live improv is a problem with software (tho must
admit i use 'real' instruments more - hope that wasn't a diss from mr
Tim Bo), but i do think its interesting that we can now improvise
(and/or compose) with bits of software that have been designed by, and
perhaps bear the creative hallmark of another musician. 
 
i agree with others in this thread that discussion of whether pieces end
or not (surely a piece is still generative if it is created by a
process, even if that process ends at some point ?) is kinda irrelevant,
as is whether we play a *real* instrument  in an orchestra or by
ourselves with a laptop. Granted Nick, recordings are a bit of a bizarre
phenomenon, but have their place no ?
 
what i think *is* perhaps new and i think quite exciting is that
interactive (by which i just mean ones where the user has some input)
generative systems start to blur the boundaries between composition and
instrument making. From the composer/ makers perspective, these have
until now generally demanded quite opposing considerations wrt users
freedom (compositions in general maintaining their identity across
performances, and instruments enabling vast possibilities in
performance).  Now it seems we can make  *tools* (whether or not they're
simple) which are at once  a device with which another musician can
express his musical ideas (like an instrument), and a device which
creates structures which another musician can explore in performance
(like a composition)  maybe i am reading too much into it, but i think
this opens up a new way of communicating/ exchanging/ interacting with
music(al ideas)
 
 
alice
 
 
 
. . alice eldridge . . . . . . . .  . . . .   . . . . .   . . . . .
. .  <mailto:alicee at ecila.org> alicee at ecila.org .  . . .   . . . .   . .
. . . . .
. .  <http://www.ecila.org/> http://www.ecila.org . . . . . . . . .   .
. . . . .   . .
 
. . alice eldridge . . . . . . . .  . . . .   . . . . .   . . . . .
. . alicee at sussex.ac.uk .  . . .   . . . .   . . . . . . .
. . http://www.ecila.org . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .   . .
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.generative.net/pipermail/eu-gene/attachments/20051017/5c2b0479/attachment.htm