The Application in Original Musical Compositions of Algorithms Within Four Music Composition Software Programs and the Development of Composition Algorithms Within 'Phrase Garden', an Original Music Composition Software Program

Abstract

Firstly, this study provides an examination of the application of algorithms from the commercially available software programs 'M', 'Jam Factory' and 'Symbolic Composer'. The applications of algorithms are in the context of three compositions written specifically for the study. Secondly, it provides an examination of a fourth example work composed with 'Phrase Garden', a software program developed specifically for the study using the software development program 'MAX'. Overall, this study includes historical and technical aspects of individual algorithms used in the four example works, with the applications of algorithms detailed through the function each algorithm performs in the context of the example works. Algorithms in the initial three example works are limited to those available within the commercially available software programs employed, while in the fourth, new algorithms are developed within 'MAX' and used in the 'Phrase Garden' program.