Electric Sheep
Alistair McLean, Robert S. Jarvis · 2018
This paper outlines the development, creation and initial presentation of a computer program designed to direct human performers in improvised musical performance. The work, titled "Electric Sheep", is grounded in models of play-based improvisation of the late 20th century, focused around American composer John Zorn's "game-pieces" of the 1980s. It seeks to overcome some of the technical limitations of previous game-pieces whilst also providing a functioning example of player-computer interaction (PCI) in improvised music practice. Utilising an iterative rehearsal and development process we were able to isolate and highlight the importance of non-verbal and non-musical communication between improvising musicians and offer suggestions for incorporating this kind of feedback into future systems. Through this work, we will highlight the value of exploring the intersection of PCI and musical play as a valuable method of forming insight into rich PCI interactions.