Publication
Title
A variable neighbourhood search algorithm to generate first species counterpoint musical scores
Author
Abstract
In this paper a variable neighbourhood search (VNS) algorithm is developed that can generate musical fragments of arbitrary length consisting of a cantus firmus and a first species counterpoint melody. The objective function of the algorithm is based on a quantification of existing counterpoint rules. The VNS algorithm developed in this paper is a local search algorithm that starts from a randomly generated melody and improves it by changing one or two notes at a time. A thorough parametric analysis of the VNS reveals the significance of the algorithms parameters on the quality of the composed fragment, as well as their optimal settings. The VNS algorithm has been implemented in a user-friendly software environment for composition, called Optimuse. Optimuse allows a user to specify a number of characteristics such as length, key, and mode. Based on this information, Optimuse composes both a cantus firmus and a first species counterpoint melody. Alternatively, the user may specify a cantus firmus, and let Optimuse compose only an accompanying first species counterpoint melody.
Language
English
Source (series)
Research paper / UA, Faculty of Applied Economics ; 2011:017
Publication
Antwerp : UA , 2011
Volume/pages
23 p.
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.12.2011
Last edited 07.10.2022
To cite this reference