Randomised music Dissertation
Hi there,
I understand the forum isn't for this but am asking for some help.
I am a uni student in my third year and am writing my dissertation on Human Computer Interaction to make music focusing on composition that is randomised and left to chance. This is a subject which I am really interested in stemming from John Cage's theory of indeterminacy. I love to make patches that use the various randomised functions in max.
I was wondering if anyone has read any interesting articles or papers about using code to randomise the music process and anything related to this topic. I only ask as I'm finding it hard to look for written resources on CURRENT works that uses process's like this. Maybe someone knows of an archive or website where publications of this topic are posted.
Also if there's artists you like or know that use these methods I'd love to hear of them as I'd like to expand my list of composers in this area and if you too compose in this fashion it would be great to get your opinion!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I really do appreciate any advice you could give me!
There is always the classic by Iannis Xenakis - Formalized Music: Thought and Mathematics in Music.
You probably know the Cage package for Max which is based on Bach package by Andrea Agostini and Daniele Ghisi. The publication list for the Bach project https://www.bachproject.net/publications/ may contain something of interest for you.
for self-exploration but also for demonstration puposes i would build a simple patch which creates a rhytmic melody - and add an option to randomize all parameters instead of playing the preset song.
even a hermeneutic look at "music and randomness" requires a context or something to compare it with.
btw, indeterminacy is quite relative when using computers ... with custom code...
Sorry for the late reply but thank you this is incredibly helpful for my research. I've managed to find some great sources from your suggestions.
I was thinking of making something similar to what you suggested there Roman as I think I will defo need to make something to add context to the essay.