Beyond pitch/duration scoring: Towards a system dynamics model of electroacoustic music
Ian Whalley · Research Commons (University of Waikato) · 1999
Based on a hierarchy of discrete pitches and metrically sub-divisible duration, Western tonal art music is usually modelled through printed music scores. Scoring acoustic musical events beyond this paradigm has resulted in non-standard graphs in two dimensions. New digitally generated ‘soundscape ’ forms are often not conceived or understandable within traditional musical paradigms or notation models, and often explore attributes of music such as spatial processing that fall outside two-dimensional graphic scoring. To date there is not a commonly accepted model that approximates the structural dynamics of electroacoustic music; providing a conceptual framework independent of the music to the degree of standard music notation. Based on recent work in spectro-morphology as a way of explaining sound shapes, a systems dynamics model is proposed through mapping a dynamic taxonomy for structural listening as an aid to composition. This approach captures formal but not semiotic discourse. Given that non music specialists may bring a wide range of musical experiences to the conference, a broad background and context for the idea is first provided.