Music and Technology: Algorithmic and Generative Music

Diagram of a cellular automata used for generating musical compositions.

Cellular automaton (CA) algorithms, in which rules define the state of cells in a grid, can be applied to musical composition. (Image by Christopher Ariza.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

21M.380

As Taught In

Spring 2010

Level

Undergraduate

Cite This Course

Course Features

Course Description

This course examines the history, techniques, and aesthetics of mechanical and computer-aided approaches to algorithmic music composition and generative music systems. Through creative hands-on projects, readings, listening assignments, and lectures, students will explore a variety of historical and contemporary approaches. Diverse tools and systems will be employed, including applications in Python, MIDI, Csound, SuperCollider, and Pure Data.

Other OCW Versions

This subject explores technologies in relation to musical analysis, composition, performance, culture, and quantitative methods. Topics vary each term.

Christopher Ariza. 21M.380 Music and Technology: Algorithmic and Generative Music, Spring 2010. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA


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