Re: Creation\Emulation (was Re: computers composing music)

From: Replicant00@aol.com
Date: Thu Dec 30 1999 - 09:59:05 MST


braverm@netvision.net.il writes:

>If computers could create music by learning each composer's style then we
could
 have our music taylored to suit our individual flavors. Computers could
 create an infinite number of compositions that will contain our specified
 style: >>

At our level of technology today, if you go to the level of complexity
required and program a machine to do a reasonable "individual style" - then I
would say YOU are the composer not the machine. You would have had to program
so many nuances into it that it would no longer be 40% this and 60% that.

It is a great challenge, however! : )
<<
 I could ask for 40%Wagner, 20%Bach and 40%Charlie Parker - and listen to a
 new piece as it is being created on the spot.
>>

What I was saying is that without "consciousness" whatever that is, and
without sentient "experience," such music would lack (for use of a better
word) "soul." A few people on this list will take that word way too seriously
and complain, but many of you know exactly what I mean. Simly sum of our
experiences and the way we express our own personal Truth.

When I was studying Jazz in school a phenomena occurred: excellent technical
players from Japan who could reproduce *exact* solos by the greatest bebop
players.
Did they sound the same? not at all.

Arrangement of notes and "algorithms" are only part of the actual equation.

They give shape and substance to the ideas and the emotions being expressed.
Upon this, the musician hangs his own language of symbols. These are things
like timing, timbre, syncopation, intonation, and various preferences.

Why did the Japanese students so completely miss the boat, even though every
note was in place, every nuance observed?

**We used to say that the sheltered Japanese students had never lived in the
tough skid row New York hotels; never lived as an artist on the streets,
never ate hot dogs for months at a time, never done the"Americana" thing...
SO they were basically typing. And it sounded like it. No Secret Sauce.**

Perhaps, over time, when computers are second citizens; sentient beings who
carry out our menial tasks and have no vote we will see a new and poignant
music.....



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