Developing Systems For Improvisation Based On Listening
Doug Van Nort, Pauline Oliveros, Jonas Braasch · University of Michigan Library Repository · 2010
In this paper we discuss our approach to designing improvising music systems whose intelligence is centered around careful listening, particularly to qualities related to timbre and texture.Our interest lies in systems that can make contextual decisions based on the overall character of the entire sound field, as well as the specific shape and contour created by each player.We describe the paradigm of "expanded instrument" systems that we in turn build upon, endowing these with the ability to listen, recognize and transform performer's sound in a contextually relevant fashion.This musical context is defined by our free improvisation trio, which we briefly describe.The different modules of our current system are described, including a new tool for real-time sound analysis and method for sonic texture recognition.