A General Introduction to. Adam Meyers, Evan Korth, Sam Pluta, Marilyn Cole New York University June 2-19, 2008

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1 A General Introduction to Adam Meyers, Evan Korth, Sam Pluta, Marilyn Cole New York University June 2-19, 2008

2 Outline What is Computer Science? What is Computer Music? Some Philosophical Questions Computer Science Culture Why should musicians and everyone else learn computer science? Summary

3 Computer Science How Computers Work Physically and Logically Algorithms Mathematical Recipes for Solving Problems Data Structures Theoretical constructs for storing data (used by algorithms) Computer Program Implementation of algorithms/data structures High Level Programming Languages C, JAVA, LISP, Python, Processing Low Level: Assembly and Machine Code

4 A Quick Intro to Algorithms Algorithms are like recipes for writing programs The PBJS Algorithm Transfer slice of bread from loaf to plate Repeat until enough peanut butter Put knife into peanut butter jar and get peanut butter Transfer peanut butter from knife to slice of bread Transfer other slice of bread from loaf to plate Repeat until enough jelly Put knife into jelly jar and get jelly Transfer jelly from knife to other slice of bread Put slice of bread (pb side down) on other slice of bread

5 Program = Implementation of Algorithm The PBJS instructions in ACME sandwich maker 2000 implements the PBJS algorithm The instructions refer to specific levers, switches and gears that are part of the ACME sandwich maker 2000 The instructions refer to specific types of knives, plates, breads, and jellies The instructions use different, but mathematically equivalent methods Peanut butter is squeezed out of a squeezy jar instead of using a knife and a regular jar of peanut butter

6 What is Computer Music? According to Wikipedia: study of applications of computer technology to music composition Metacomposition Computer-aided composition Automatically do your counter point homework Seems to include Algorithm-based composition Even when no computer is involved Same kind of thinking Seems to include Music Retrieval Programs that recognize music and structure of music

7 Is Computer Music Related to Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence: Simulation of Intelligence Turing Test: Can human judges distinguish between human and machine output? Music generation that is AI-like May attempt to model human knowledge of music Or use statistical models of human-authored music Machine output fools human beings Some computer musicians don't care about AI They just want to produce interesting music

8 What is a Model? A model is a representation or theory for characterizing crucial aspects of something. A plastic model may represent an actual car The letters cat may be a model of the sound kæt A set of formulas may be a model of gravity A computer program can model a musician's behavior Several Jazz accompanist programs exist Not necessarily intended as models of human musicians Programs, rules, formulas characterizing X Can, but need not, be viewed as models of X

9 A Philosophical Question Suppose you have a model A set of rules, mathematical formulas, etc. Suppose your model can accurately describe all known pieces by Bach. Your model is implemented as a computer program Suppose it can generate pieces that Bach never wrote But people who hear these pieces always think they are by Bach Do you have a model of Bach's composition abilities?

10 Questions about Musicomputation Compare natural and artificial languages Natural languages: English, Chinese, American Sign Language, Estonian, Hausa, Hatian Creole, etc. Constructed Languages: Modern Hebrew Artificial Languages: JAVA, Processing, mathematical logic, Constructed Languages: Esperanto?, Klingon, Elvish Do computer music programs and the underlying programs simulate human behavior? Is music human behavior? Is music a language? Is music artificial or natural?

11 CompSci Culture of Cooperation Duplicate effort is a waste of time 10 nearly identical programs VERSUS 1 program created cooperatively by 10 programmers A population of cooperating programmers can Build operating systems: linux, BSD (including current MAC OS), etc. Others: Firefox, OpenOffice, Processing Other cooperative efforts Wikipedia, FON (for profit system for sharing WIFI), SETI@home (donation of cycles to SETI project) Copy Left: Alternatives to proprietary licenses/copyrights

12 If more Musicians Learned Computer Science... New kinds of music and new ways of thinking about music They could create the same kind of music faster

13 Everybody should Learn Computer Science Computer Science revolutionized all technical fields Most scientific research involves creating programs Now as basic to science as statistics science, technology, art, etc. Computer Science provides problem-solving methodologies on an unprecedented scale Computer Science should be taught in High School Algorithms, data structures, not just programming & applications

14 Summary of Class Goals This class attempts to merge the teaching of computer music and computer science Insights to Music because Computer Science fosters new ways of thinking The best way to study Computer Science is: To use CS techniques to explore ones interests Instead of writing programs that you don't care about

The Turing Test and Its Discontents

The Turing Test and Its Discontents Administrivia Class Website: http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/issmeth08/issmeth0 8.html Midterm paper (due March 18; 35 percent of grade) Final paper (due May