Contribution to the design of an expert system for the generation of tonal multiple counterpoint

Abstract

In this paper I examine some main features shown by recent applications of Artificial Intelligence methods to a specific set of musical problems concerning counterpoint. Particular emphasis is given to the “multiple viewpoints” — oriented techniques. However, theoretical and practical cirticisms are introduced, concerning the sense and the nature of both the knowledge-representation and the intended musical tasks. A practical example is then described, in which a non-traditional formalization of contrapuntal fundamentals has been used as a minimal (but satisfying) knowledge-base for an expert system whose design is briefly outlined: it still preserves a “multiple viewpoints” orientation, but proposes a hierarchical organisation of competence viewpoints operating at successive moments of the solution process. Future developments should result in the expert system being re-shaped as a self-organising complex net.