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Towards melodic extension using genetic algorithms

Towsey, Michael W. and Brown, Andrew R. and Wright, Susan K. and Diederich, Joachim (2001) Towards melodic extension using genetic algorithms . Educational Technology & Society 4(2):pp. 54-65.

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Abstract

Genetic Algorithms (GA's) are considered promising for music composition because they combine ‘creativity’ (ability to explore a large search space) with constraints (creative 'excess' is 'pruned' using a fitness function). A major difficulty with the use of GA's for this task is to define fitness functions which capture the aesthetic qualities of the wide range of successful melodies. In this paper we report on research that addresses this problem in the context of a modest compositional task, melodic extension. We describe 21 melodic features used as the basis for a GA fitness function and for mutation procedures. We discuss how the features were chosen, measured for significance, and might be incorporated into a fitness function.

Item Type:Journal Article
RM Number:0020021786
Status:Published
Keywords:Genetic algorithms; Music composition; Creativity; Fitness functions; Melodic extensions; Melodic features;
Subjects:410000 The Arts > 410100 Performing Arts > 410101 Music
ID Code:169
Deposited By:Callan, Paula
Deposited On:31 August 2005
Alternative Locations:http://www.ifets.info/index.php?http://www.ifets.info/main.php, http://ifets.massey.ac.nz/periodical/vol_2_2001/v_2_2001.html
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2001 International Forum of Educational Technology & Society / (please consult author)
Copyright Statement:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher: This journal is available online.