Undergraduate Course: Algorithmic Composition (MUSI10087)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Flexibility and the ability to combine various approaches, integrating the results of one system into another environment is the key to creative and constantly developing work in this field. Experience in real-time audio programming in Max/MSP is thus compared and contrasted with non-real time systems, in particular concentrating on the benefits of such and where and when to apply these non real-time techniques. |
| Course description |
Flexibility and the ability to combine various approaches, integrating the results of one system into another environment is the key to creative and constantly developing work in this field. Experience in real-time audio programming in Max/MSP is thus compared and contrasted with non-real time systems, in particular concentrating on the benefits of such and where and when to apply these non real-time techniques.
As well as gaining experience programming in these environments (which may include Common Lisp Music, Common Music, Common Music Notation, Supercollider, CMusic, CSound, CMix etc.) students will be exposed to general-purpose, text-based programming paradigms and their use in generating compositional structure. This experience of algorithmic composition will then be combined with synthesis/signal processing or in the generation of musical scores. The whole is aimed at enriching the composer's compositional palette, enabling them to assess different approaches and thus choose appropriate tools for future projects.
Seminars will develop the contextual and aesthetic background to computer music and take the form of discussion of set reading and listening.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2018/19, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
164 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Weekly 2 hour lectures and fortnightly 2 hour tutorials (tutorials in even weeks)
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Two projects will be submitted, worth 35% and 65% respectively. Collaboration is not permitted on either project.
Project 1 (35%): A synthesis and/or signal processing assignment will be completed in a musical programming environment. The result will be the generation of a short piece of music in the form of a sound file.
Project 2 (65%): An algorithmic composition project of the student's own choosing should be realised using any environment or combination thereof presented thus far. The project should be distinct from and clearly more ambitious and substantial than Project 1. The project should be distinct from and clearly more ambitious and substantial than Project 1. The result may be an installation, score, sound file, or interactive computer environment. The project must be agreed in advance with the course organiser.
Both projects should be accompanied by a short (c. 1000 word) report detailing the project goals; the methods used to realise these goals; any problems or interesting points encountered along the way (with their solutions/incorporation); an appraisal/critique of the project; and suggestions as to how, with hindsight, the project may be been improved and how it could be developed in the future. The report should be written in formal academic language, using clearly defined sections; it should correctly reference articles and musical works relevant to the subject matter and include a full bibliography. A CDROM containing the patches/programmes/sounds used, as well as a recording of the project, should also be submitted in both cases. More details on both assignments will be provided in a revised project brief document.
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| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided for both Projects. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate insights into algorithmic composition systems and the benefits of such in the top-down planning of musical processes
- demonstrate a practical understanding of computer programming paradigms and their relation to and potential generation of compositional structure
- demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the advantages of non-real time computer music systems and when to use them instead of real-time environments
- demonstrate an insight into the history, theory, repertoire, and aesthetics of computer music.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | algorithmic composition,digital signal processing,computer music |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Tom Mudd
Tel: (0131 6)50 2808
Email: tmudd@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Carrie Lyall
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: Carrie.Lyall@ed.ac.uk |
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