Do Desenho e do Som: Harmonising screen scores and listening

Abstract

Do Desenho e do Som is a software application that creates graphical screen scores in real time. Fascinated by the theoretical discussions concerning improvisation, composition and real-time composition, the author endeavours to conceive an interactive environment to induce controlled improvisation contexts, using real-time scores. Do Desenho e do Som makes use of real-time screen scores to facilitate the communication of formalised musical ideas, which due to their ambiguous graphical nature create an interesting interaction between a composer, an assistant and performers. It also grants a real-time control over form as the notation, and consequently the music, unfolds at runtime. With a focus on the underlying importance of listening, the author based this article on his own experience designing the Do Desenho e do Som software and using it for composition.