Talk:Generative music

Algorithmic composition
How does generative music differ from algorithmic music? They sound sufficiently similar to me that I think we should merge them, perhaps under the title algorithmic music. Comments? -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:38, July 22, 2005 (UTC)


 * Algorithmic music is a very broad category, encompassing computer assisted algorithmic composition (CAAC) (like M,DMix, etc), adaptive music (computer game music), interactive music (as instrument or player). In fact it includes any algorithmic process applied to music.


 * Generative music is not exactly the same, and as the various perspectives show, people from different areas use it in different ways. Within the field of algorithmic music itself, a generative algorithm is often seen as one that creates musical data from abstract/non-musical data (and is in this sense "generating" the music from "nothing").  This definition may seem kind of vague, but is explained much more thoroughly in that paper that I referred to, which is available at:
 * 


 * In this way a generative algorithm would be seen as distinct from transformational and analytical algorithms (all three of which are used exensively in algorithmic music).  We put them all on a continuum in the paper I mentioned. Let me know if this makes sense.
 * 220.240.26.58 22:16, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

are we going to resolve this issue? are there any other cases for merging it with algorithmic music? 210.14.98.105 23:34, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

As a composer who has used algorithmic techniques for more than 35 years, I have never put a fine point "on these distinctions. I mix lots of techniques including fractals and genetic algorithms as dictated my musical and aesthetic goals. I like "algorithmic composition" as the broad cover title for what I do in the sense that a recipe serves the chef. The ingredients and techniques may vary but the hope is to produce something palatable.  In the WIkipedia, it is essential that we be able to find information and examples.  This already seems to work. - Gary Lee Nelson, Oberlin College.

I imagine overlapping boundaries between various systems; the Wikipedia supports this organization, and should perhaps resist merging these topics. It is my opinion that Generative music Systems represent a large category of software systems. A sine wave generator (generally considered a component of a Sound_synthesis system), for example, can be considered a Generative Music System. There are many overlaps: Interactive music Systems, systems that combine music or environmental analysis and music generation, are a type of Generative music System. Computer-Aided Algorithmic Composition (CAAC) Systems are related systems specialized towards algorithmically creating musical events and parameters. An Interactive Music System may contain CAAC sub-components. Algorithmic composition refers to both computer-based techniques (CAAC) and non-computer-based techniques (e.g. dice); software makes the difference.

I created a diagram to illustrate a way of looking at this:



I would discourage the use of the term "Algorithmic Music," as I see all music as human music, no matter what tools are used. I do not think that there is a good way to separate the so-called "Algorithmic Music" from whatever alternative is presented. - Christopher Ariza Flexatone 00:54, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

"Algorithmic Music" has the distinction that it is music generated algorithmically, "Algorithmic Composition" is different - it is music composed algorithmically. There is a significant difference, but I'll admit that it's one that composers might notice most. In my mind, Generative Music does fit in with Algorithmic Music, but it would be only partial overlap with Algorithmic Composition. - Paul Doornbusch

Regarding the "Human Music" suggestion...humans rely on neural systems that are ultimately sets of algorithms, when they create music. If Algorithmic Music were to refer to computer aided composition, it would be a poorly chosen title, sort of redundant. If algorithmic music refers to the tones generated by synthesizers and computers, it is not related to the theory of generative music. Regarding generative music...I was under the impression that Generative Theory refers to a method of analysis that can be used in composition or interpretation. -Alex Jarvis

I agree with Paul's distinction. An "algorithm" is an explicitly formalised sequence of instructions. Algorithmic music is music made using an algorithm. The argument that our "neural systems" constitute algorithms is not viable, as we do not currently understand precicely how they work (the data is hidden, not explicit). The argument might become viable someday with a technique for explicitising our neural systems. Given this, can we agree that some forms of music are not "algorithmic" - spontaneously bursting into song, for example? Alex, you will note that "Generative Theory" (as in The Generative Theory of Tonal Music) comes under the "linguistic/structural" perspective. It is also worth noting that there is more than one perspective! ;) (ReneWooller 04:28, 24 April 2007 (UTC))

Generative vs Algorithmic
Thx to all for the article and discussion. As a newbie to the topic, i'd just like to suggest that the points of clarification on this talk page, once sorted out to the experts' satisfaction, should appear in the article (as a part of making it less of a list). Hope this helps, "alyosha" (talk) 19:06, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

More Generative Music Systems
What about the cgMusic program? That is surely a generative music system. cgMusic link: —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.252.237.195 (talk) 23:54, 6 February 2011 (UTC) ...or this KI based approach: Dadabots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNNmBtNcccE — Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.226.83.82 (talk) 07:40, 23 April 2019 (UTC)

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The software section is an advertisement of a company.
It needs to mention other software equally. Botaki (talk) 12:52, 30 December 2018 (UTC)

Diamant bleu 2A01:CB0D:800C:A7DA:6826:C371:B482:7994 (talk) 15:29, 7 June 2023 (UTC)