Articles on music, computer-generated music,

violin acoustics, & some amateurish music-making

Computer-generated music

My attempts to write a suite of computer programs to carry out the basic carpentry tasks in inventing music. It does not use artificial intelligence. Instead the algorithms are based on 'rules' to create the sequences of chords, vocal lines and melodic decoration in common practice in the 18th century -- Bach and Haydn's time -- as set out in the many textbooks on musical theory. The programs aim to create short pieces in 4-part hymn-tune harmony, and decorate them with inserted sequences, passing notes, arpeggiation, etc.

Acoustics and the violin

Various studies of violin acoustics using wooden models and finite element analysis (FEA) to model the vibrations of the violin body. There are several supporting articles:

How our ears hear sound

Sound clips of how the pitch of low notes on a viola are perceived by our ears, explaining the Paradox of The Missing Fundamental

Normal modes of vibration - a review

The role of the f-holes of a violin, and the Helmholtz air resonance

The physics of sound radiation from a general vibrating body

What makes a good tune?

An investigation of what makes a good tune. .I select 60 catchy tunes and pick out their winning features.

The shape of musical phrases

Some short pieces

I am a lover of `classical' music and have tried from time to time both to play pieces and to compose short works of my own, with limited success.  Here are three short pieces I have written

Also here are three examples of rather rough multi-track recording, with me playing all the instruments:

A Trio Sonata movement by Handel, the Prelude to a concerto grosso by Corelli, and a minuet and trio from Haydn's quartet Op 20 No 4. I made these during the lock-down for Covid19 between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021.