T561/N564 Fall 2003

Computer Tools for Music Research (Fall 2003), 3 cr.

Instructor

Professor: Eric J. Isaacson
Email: isaacso@indiana.edu
Phone: 855-0296
Office: Simon 225A

Class Meetings

MWF 1:25-2:15 M373 (in Cook Music Library, Simon Building)

Course Description

The course will provide an overview of ways in which the computer can serve as a tool for music research. The course will examine various issues in the representation of music. It will discuss, for example, what kinds of information are sufficient for representations used for performance, publishing, analysis, and theory. A number of existing representations will be critically evaluated. The course will also examine tools and techniques for manipulating those representations. Text-based resources (bibliographic databases, full-text archives, etc.) will not be covered in the course. For specific information, see the list of course topics.

The course may be used

• toward a track concentration or elective in a music theory degree (as T561)
• toward a minor or cognate in Music Theory (as T561)
• toward a minor in Music Information Technology (as N564)
• as an elective for students in areas such as composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, library science, and cognitive science (under either number)

The course is officially cross-listed in Cognitive Science.

Requirements

Several small assignments, a mid-term exam/project, and a final paper/presentation.

Prerequisites

Students should be comfortable with computers and have a good understanding of music notation. No specific prior computer knowledge will be expected, though those with programming skills will be encouraged to make use of them. Topics for presentations and major projects will focus on each student's personal strengths and interests.

Text

Eleanor Selfridge-Field, ed. Beyond MIDI: The Handbook of Musical Codes. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997.