Algorithmic Music: Towards A New Musical Vocabulary
I think I've found it! I now know what kind of music I want to create:
Algorithmic music with an avant-garde feel, which combines elements of alternative, jazz and Christian contemporary.
Do you think I can do it?
Well, I don't know, either. But I've been experimenting with algorithms in music composition, and it's been pretty amazing.
Algorithmic Music
Algorithmic music is not totally new; it's been around at least since the serialism of Arnold Shoenberg. However, the problem with algorithmic music is that it is often so atonal that it offends the ear. In addition, it's often criticized as "wooden," "stale," or "emotionless." "Your music is intellectuslly stimulating and all," argue the detractors. "But it doesn't reach down into the heart. It doesn't move people."
Of course, as a composer and entrepreneur, I can't help but want to change this.
Recent Experiments in Algorithmic Music
A couple nights ago, I was doing some composing. I was working with my audio editing software (Ableton Live - which, in my opinion - is one of the most rewarding audio editing softwares out there, because of its high degree of difficulty to learn and use) and experimenting with chromatics. At one point, I had 12 different .wav files playing all at once, at varying intervals and rhythms. Each audio clip only consisted of one note. In effect, I was create a 12-tone row, much in the spirit of Schoenberg, Webern and Berg.
(As an aside, Schoenberg is one of my favorite composers. I love his brash daring and true originality. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Schoenberg had the darndest time translating his innovative musical ideas into anything that sounds good. But there is one composition of his - the Opus. 31 work - which I think represents the nadir of what atonality can truly be. I highly recommend it.)
At any rate, I was getting such cool sounds, that it truly inspired me to take it further. My goal is no less than a complete genesis of a new musical vocabulary, one that hasn't been heard yet. Of course, I know this is quite egoistic - but egoism is the artist's birthright, right?
Ah, well.
But please check out the random music generator our development team created. We have a ton of work to do on it in terms of fine tuning it, so be gentle in your critques, please!
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