Composer Research Articles

A Systematic Review of Metaverse-Based Learning in Music Education

In recent years, the integration of metaverse technologies into educational settings has gained significant attention. This systematic review aims to investigate the application of metaverse-based learning in music education. The review employs clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, spanning literature from 2019 to 2023. The screening process encompasses key concepts, relevance, and alternative keywords to ensure a broad and comprehensive literature retrieval. The study addresses two primary inquiries: firstly, it categorizes Metaverse-Based Learning (MBL) technologies employed in music education, encompassing virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, speech recognition, and other pertinent technologies. Secondly, the research provides a comprehensive exploration of MBL applications within diverse music disciplines and skill areas, including but not limited to music theory and fundamentals, performance and improvisation, vocal perception, music composition, instrumental performance, team performance and ensemble. The article also explores limitations in current research and suggests directions and considerations for future studies. This comprehensive review provides a valuable foundation for further research and exploration of MBL applications in music education.

Social commentary in the song “Chineke doo” by Sam Ojukwu

Early art music in Nigeria was not based on nor conceived as a medium for social commentary. However, through cultural reawakening, contemporary Nigerian-Igbo composers now deliberately utilise social commentary themes in their music. This practice enhances their musical works as social-cum-functional art—a notable essence of music in traditional Africa. There is a dearth of studies on Igbo art music composers and social commentary. In this study, we focus on Sam Ojukwu and his composition “Chineke doo” (A prayer for Nigeria) to explicate the compositional utility of social commentary themes in the Nigerian-Igbo context. The selection of the piece is based on its social relevance and the composer’s creativity, output, and consistency in social commentary art music. Textual data extracted from the piece and an interview with the composer provided the primary data for the study. Altogether, we discuss the contemporary Nigerian socio-political ironies recreated in “Chineke doo”. Through the socio-cultural context, along with suitable musical text examples, we deepen the understanding and appreciation of how social commentary in music relates to specific social and political issues in Nigeria. The study is significant in the evaluation, appreciation, and justification of Ojukwu as a music-composer-social-commentator and poet who thrives in social commentary art music compositions for the sake of societal engineering and transformation.

Wagner's Musical Thought and Practice:Exemplified by Tristan and Isolde

The studies on <Tristan and Isolde> are very heterogeneous, and most of the articles discussing its relationship with Schopenhauer's philosophy discuss Wagner's connection with Schopenhauer in the time and circumstances of his life or writing. This paper makes more use of the music itself composed by Wagner as material for analysis, taking <Tristan and Isolde> as an example, this article introduces the philosophical ideas implicit in <Tristan and Isolde> and discusses Wagner's philosophical reflections in the light of Schopenhauer's philosophy and its influence on Wagner. The specific use of versmelodie in <Tristan and Isolde> is also analyzed to explore the origin and influence of Wagner's gesamtkunst ideas. This paper using music and textual analysis as the main methods, in order to distinguishes between Wagner's self-expressed ideas in his writings and those embodied in his musical compositions, attempts to explore Wagner's underlying expressive intentions and the reasons for the enduring popularity of Tristan and Isolde.

The Shadow Side of Musical Composition: A Study of Library Music in Portuguese Academic Circles

Despite being an international and powerful branch of the music and audiovisual industries, library music has limited symbolic capital. In conservatories, academies, and higher schools, the very idea of functional, commercially oriented music composition is consigned to oblivion, as if this practice did not exist. Music students in academic contexts are strongly encouraged to pursue what is classified as art, classical, or vanguard music. This article discusses the relationship between specific academic Portuguese music circles and the practice, teaching, and learning of library music. Our main question is: why, in the digital era, do the canons of music teaching still exclude practices such as library music? This research uses qualitative data collected from a group of respondents in the context of multi-method research. Respondents are music and musicology students, teachers and professionals in Portugal, all of whom have advanced practical and/or theoretical musical training.

Beat by Beat: Designing a Rhythm Game for Screening Dyslexia

Dyslexia, a language-based disorder, affects children’s reading, writing, and spelling abilities despite adequate classroom instruction. Early screening is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of delayed detection. Dyslexia also impairs precise timing tasks, including rhythm skills essential for reading. This study explores the potential of serious games incorporating rhythms to screen for dyslexia, leveraging the natural synchronization of rhythm skills observed in body movements. Existing rhythm games fail to accurately address dyslexia-related difficulties, lacking relevant performance data and user-centred design. Our research aims to design a 2D sidescrolling platformer game, integrating established rhythmic activities to identify children at risk for dyslexia and engage them in gameplay. A multidisciplinary team collaborates on this initiative, including neuropsychologists, music therapists, and game designers. Using the Design Thinking Methodology, we focus on identifying effective music compositions, game mechanics, dynamics, and visual elements that enhance the gaming experience for children with dyslexia and support early dyslexia screening.

Ecosystem [512]: Acoustic Ecology Surveys as Music

Acoustic ecology is a rapidly expanding discipline which can reveal details about ecosystems that are not visually apparent, and field recording has been used in an increasing variety of ways in music compositions, opening the door to collaborative projects that walk the line between science and art. Ecosystem [512] is rooted in acoustic surveys that I carried out over nine months in Iceland’s National Parks. These surveys provided more than 10,000 hours of recordings that are processed, compressed, combined, and analyzed before being used as the fundamental material for a music composition for electronics and clarinet. The piece uses multiple strategies such as algorithmic composition to handle the transition from rough acoustic survey recordings to final music product. The process of composing this piece reveal insights about both acoustic ecology processes and music composition considerations.

Artificial Intelligence: A Challenge to Scientific Communication.

Recent years have seen formidable advances in artificial intelligence. Developments include a large number of specialised systems either existing or planned for use in scientific research, data analysis, translation, text production and design with grammar checking and stylistic revision, plagiarism detection, and scientific review in addition to general-purpose AI systems for searching the internet and generative AI systems for texts, images, videos, and musical compositions. These systems promise more ease and simplicity in many aspects of work. Blind trust in AI systems with uncritical, careless use of AI results is dangerous, as these systems do not have any inherent understanding of the content they process or generate, but only simulate this understanding by reproducing statistical patterns extracted from training data. This article discusses the potential and risk of using AI in scientific communication and explores potential systemic consequences of widespread AI implementation in this context.

Exploring the connections between narrative and suggestive, or about programmism in violin concertos and orchestras from the 20th century

Today, violin and orchestra concerts undergo a profound transformation, evolving into complex musical narratives that explore deep themes and emotions. Programmatic titles and other indications convey composers’ intention to imbue their works with aesthetic or philosophical landmarks, thus strengthening the connection between music and programmatic content. This evolution brings a new dimension to the concert genre, where programmatic elements become essential in expressing composers’ visions in communicating with the audience and guiding listeners towards specific styles, aesthetics, or moods, contributing to the individualization and conceptualization of the work. The interaction between music and programmatic content adds a new depth to the concert genre, highlighting composers’ ability to convey complex ideas through music. Thus, violin and orchestra concerts become captivating musical narratives, reflecting the diversity and innovation in the art of musical composition.

Kama-taguste udmurtide kevadise suure päeva (bõddzh’õnal) kombetalituse laulufolkloor

The article is dedicated to the analysis of musical motifs performed by Eastern Udmurts within the framework of the spring ritual complex Bydzhynnal (The Great Day). The relevance of this study is justified by the limited exploration of the musical folklore of this local group. The primary sources for the analysis include field materials collected during the period from 2016 to 2023, as well as materials from the Scientific Archive of the Institute of Udmurt Philology, Ethnography, and Arts of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, along with expedition records by Udmurt ethnographer Ranus Sadikov. The research methodology is based on philological and musicological approaches, involving a plot-thematic analysis of poetic texts and the identification of features in the development of melodies in the context of their modal, rhythmic, and melodic characteristics. The results of the analysis indicate the diversity of motifs used in the examined tunes. The identified anhemitonic tonal systems suggest similarities between the calendar musical compositions of Eastern Udmurts and the musical tradition of Southern and Western Udmurts. The rhythmic structures are presented in two main types. The presence of melisma in the melodies has also been identified, which is explained by the influence of Turkic culture.

Robert Schumann and Neurosyphilis

Robert Schumann (1810-1856), one of the greatest music composers of the Romantic era, was suspected to have had syphilis. Syphilis was a stigmatized disease during the time, and Schumann's followers tended to deny the infection itself or to destroy evidence of possible infection; therefore, no solid evidence is available in this regard. However, based on records (obtained 130 years after his death), which describe his stay in a psychiatric hospital, it is concluded that Schumann was certainly diagnosed with syphilis. In this essay, I have discussed Schumann's creative work from syphilis infection to the onset of progressive paralysis, as a Schumann lover.

Radio Malaysia in 1978: Broadcasting Nationalist and Patriotic Ideas in Primary Schools Through Songs

Patriotic songs serve as symbols and catalysts of national identity. These songs, ranging from the national anthem "Negaraku" to a diverse repertoire of unofficial anthems, have played a crucial role in shaping the nation's cultural landscape and fostering a sense of unity among its diverse population. The popularity of these patriotic songs can be traced back to the nation's independence in 1957, when citizens had to learn the newly composed national anthem. The newly formed nation would require symbols that function as a catalyst for the realisation of Malaysia. The introduction of radio music education in Malaysian public schools in 1946 marked a significant milestone, as it allowed for the systemic dissemination of patriotic songs through the Radio Pendidikan (Radio Education) program. This program broadcasted songs to primary school students, exposing the younger generation to expressions of nationalism and patriotism through song. Through a thematic content analysis of the songs featured in the Radio Pendidikan 1978 program, the objective of this article aims to explore how the underlying themes of nationalism and patriotism were reflected in these musical compositions. The findings contribute to the understanding of the intersection between music, education, and nation-building; implicating the powerful influence of patriotic songs in uniting a diverse population and fostering a strong sense of national pride.

국제 바칼로레아 커리큘럼의 창의적 음악 작곡 - 인지 발달 이해를 위한 피아제적 접근 -

This research investigates the creative process in music composition among International Baccalaureate Diploma Program students, specifically those, three students in Higher Level (HL) and one student in Standard Level (SL) music courses. Utilizing Jean Piaget’s cognitive theory, which includes concepts like assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration. The study analyzes the creative process across four stages: Musical Practice (composition creation), Informed Musical Practice (acquiring relevant knowledge), Informed-Reflective in and Through Practice (structured reflection), and the final composition. A qualitative approach with Art Practice as Research is employed, involving observations, interviews, and explorations with four students (three HL and one SL). The findings show that, students start with prior knowledge (assimilation) and adapt (accommodation) during music composition assessments. They endure challenges to reach their own equilibrium, which varies for each student and is reflected in their IB assessment results.

태국 고등 교육 기관의 음악 석사 논문 질 향상을 위한 방법과 실천

This study explores methods and practices for enhancing the quality of music dissertations in higher education institutions across Thailand. A qualitative research methodology was employed, grounded in phenomenology, to investigate this subject. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 12 distinguished music professors, specializing in both Thai and Western music, all of whom have at least five years of experience as primary thesis advisors at the graduate level. The findings are organized into three key paradigms: (1) improving student characteristics, including admissions, academic presentations, research sponsorship, and the role of research assistants; (2) supporting the dissertation process, with a focus on raising student awareness, enhancing the roles of advisors, and developing support mechanisms; and (3) elevating the quality of music dissertations, divided into five categories: musicology, music education, Western music performance, Western composition, and Thai traditional music composition.

Sa’idu Faru and His Subordinate Mu’azu in the Song Waƙar Mamman Sarkin Kudu: A Multilogue Implicature in a Dialogue

This is pragmatic research which focuses on the implicature in Sa’idu Faru’s song. The song is a musical composition performed by the human voice. The song may be performed by a solo singer, a lead singer supported by background singers (backing vocalists) a duet, a trio, or more voices singing in harmony. Apart from the melody that the voices carry in songs, meanings in the conversations in a song play a crucial role in identifying an implicature. Implicature are utterances and what is understood from them. As it is known in all his songs, Sa’idu Faru is the lead in his songs as in the song Waƙar Mamman Sarkin Kudu supported by vocalists, one of them is Mu’azu. However, in this song, as provided in some lines, Mu’azu is as important as the lead singer, which also, the vocalists are part that provides vocal harmony with the lead singer. If Mu’azu can be a vocalist like any other, then it is a dialogue between the lead and the vocalists but in this case where Mu’azu takes control in the conversation, then the song may be termed a duet. The conversational implicature in the song guided the researcher to understand that the song is a duet. The paper attempts to answer questions such as how are successive utterances related, who controls the discourse, how he does it and, how other participants take control. Gricean Maxims are adopted in the analyses of this paper.

Musical improvisation for college students: personal creativity and thinking skills

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess personal creativity and the development of higher-order thinking skills in improvisation. The authors evaluated higher-order thinking skills in music improvisation and creativity of improvised musical compositions. The results of the t-test showed significant progress in both creativity and thinking skills among students after the intervention. In general, the indicators of creativity, higher-order thinking skills, motivation and self-efficacy of students correlate well with each other. The strongest correlation was between creativity and general musical creative self-efficacy. There was a negative correlation between amotivation and these two traits: creativity and higher-order thinking. In general, the results of the study suggest that students acquired the skills of comparing, judging, planning, generalising and using previous knowledge to create a new product. The researchers noted the development of musical style, correspondence between melody and rhythm, and a variety of musical solutions.

AI-Powered Voice Encryption: Securing the Future of Privacy and Safety

Abstract. In today's digital era, where waves of digitization sweep across the globe, voice, as one of the fundamental forms of human communication, is being captured, transmitted, and stored in unprecedented ways. From everyday phone conversations to remote conferences, from voice commands in smart homes to the digital distribution of musical compositions, voice data has become an indispensable part of the digital landscape. However, as these applications proliferate, concerns over the security and privacy of voice data have become increasingly prominent. This article delves into the innovative applications of ArtificialIntelligence (AI) in the realm of voice encryption, aiming to construct an efficient and secure shield for the transmission and storage of voice data.

Analysis of the Editing Style Characteristics of Tourism Short Videos

In this era of information explosion, tourism short videos are like brilliant magic crystals, instantly presenting distant regions and unique cultures before our eyes. With the development of technology and the demand of the Internet, tourism short videos have gradually opened up their own markets, and tourism videos of different types and styles are constantly emerging. This paper aims to explore the editing style characteristics of tourism short videos in depth. Through literature review, case analysis, data analysis and other methods, comprehensively analyze the unique charm of tourism short videos in terms of content selection, narrative structure, visual effects, sound effects, music composition, rhythm control, and interactive elements. this paper explores the editing style characteristics of tourism short videos that are more popular with the audience in today's Internet environment. Intended to provide some useful references for tourism bloggers. Enable travel bloggers to have a clearer direction in terms of style selection, editing methods, and theme selection for short travel videos.

Artificial neural networks and medieval music

Abstract This article delves into the integration of deep learning and medieval musicology. The article explores the use of deep learning in analyzing and transcribing medieval music manuscripts, offering insights into historical musical styles and compositions. It addresses the challenges and opportunities of applying AI in medieval musicology, and provides a critical analysis of deep learning’s potential in enhancing our understanding of medieval music heritage. The discussion encompasses the study of medieval music and its cultural context, emphasizing the significance of manuscripts, treatises and iconography in musicological research. The integration of digital humanities and computational advancements in medieval musicology is highlighted, revealing how technological progress has been incorporated systematically into the study of complex cultural objects.

Beethovens Piano Sonata Dawn: Musical Content and Performance Analysis

The piano sonata Dawn is a significant work from the middle period of the renowned composer Beethoven, composed in 1804. Beethovens creation of numerous remarkable musical compositions has been indispensable to the development of modern music art worldwide, and as one of his renowned piano pieces, Dawn holds great value for study in terms of its musical content and performance approach. From the perspective of Beethovens compositional journey, Dawn plays a transitional role within his evolving creative thought, embodying both Classical and Romantic musical elements. This study focuses on Dawn, offering an in-depth analysis of the pieces compositional background, musical content, and performance interpretation. Through this exploration, the study aims to elucidate the artistic techniques employed in the work and reveal the profound emotional and intellectual depth Beethoven embedded within its melodies and tonal color. It is hoped that this research will enrich the foundational theories in Chinas modern music arts studies and provide guidance for performance practice in piano music.

Re-Thinking Boundaries: The Evolution and Impact of AI in Music and Soundscapes

This essay offers a comprehensive review of the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music composition and soundscape generation, providing both a historical overview and a critical analysis of its impact. Tracing AI’s evolution from its early applications in the mid-20th century to its sophisticated use in contemporary auditory arts, the paper explores how AI has reshaped creative processes, blurred traditional boundaries between music and soundscapes, and catalyzed the emergence of new genres. Additionally, it critically examines the ethical, cultural, and aesthetic challenges posed by AI’s integration, addressing concerns such as creativity, authenticity, and the potential homogenization of musical outputs. By balancing both positive and critical dimensions, the essay aims to deepen understanding of AI’s dual role in transforming not only creative methodologies but also the conceptual frameworks of the auditory arts.