Deep learning for assisting the process of music composition (part 3)

This is part 3 of my explorations of using deep learning for assisting the process of music composition. In this part, I look at creating things other than strict folk tunes with a model trained by deep learning methods on over 23,000 folk tunes. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here.

Does the world really need tens of thousands of new reels and jigs? Maybe or maybe not; but my main motivations for composition are to create musical experiences, solve puzzles, learn, and be funny/dramatic. Toward these ends, I am finding that this music generation system can provide a wealth of materials and ideas. Here are some examples.

The system under study generated this curious little output:
Audio Player


Not a tiptop imitation when it comes to Western folk music, but it immediately brought to my mind drum and fife music, as well as music like that performed by Indian brass bands like the great Jaipur Kawa Brass Band. So, with a little reorchestrating, editing, and effects, we transform it into something like a passing marching band:

The system generated another failed emulation of Western folk music:
Audio Player


and it gave me the idea to create an antiphonal duet. I enjoy the improvisatory feeling of the playing.

Our model generated a piece it calls, “A Fhsoilah Kilnie”, which is made a right mess by the guitarist and flutist.
Audio Player


I don’t know what the system was “thinking.” However, administering some major changes with my certified artistic license and now we have a serious piece with integrity. Bonus: it’s dancable for very agile penguins and the occassional grumpy elephant seal.

Report this ad

Finally, when something tells me to listen to a piece titled, “A Bump Of Howled Sho The fetch”, I have the expectation of something dramatic. Our system generated such a piece, to which our session performers do no justice.
Audio Player


Instead, I layer all of my favorite sounds, and then layer them again but amplified, to make a real big bump of howled shoing all fetches everywhere.

No doubt those fetches are now shoed by a massive bump of howled.

Advertisements
Report this ad
Advertisements
Report this ad

2 thoughts on “Deep learning for assisting the process of music composition (part 3)

  1. Pingback: Deep learning for assisting the process of music composition (part 4) | High Noon GMT

  2. Pingback: Web Picks (week of 24 August 2015) | DataMiningApps

Leave a Reply