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Musical Performance Features

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Axel Berndt edited this page Nov 6, 2023 · 9 revisions

What is this for?

In this Wiki we give an overview of the musical performance features that MPM already implements as well as features that have been proposed or came up in discussions. We hope that this list grows further, inspiring fruitful discussions, research activities and contributions to the MPM schema definition.

Features than are already implemented in MPM

  • Timing
    • macro timing, i.e. tempo incl. constant tempo, instantaeous tempo changes as well as continuous tempo transitions (accelerando/ritardando)
    • micro timing
      • rubato, in the sense of a metronomic tempo variation, a deceleration or acceleration, which is compensated within a defined timeframe, so that the end of the timeframe is again synchronous with the underlying meter
      • asynchrony
      • agogic accents, i.e. a temporal offset of a single note, as part of articulation
      • non-systematic/quasi-random timing fluctuations
  • Dynamics
    • macro dynamics, usually represented by dynamics instructions including instantaeous dynamics changes as well as continuous dynamics transitions (crescendo/decrescendo)
    • micro dynamics
      • metrical accentuation
      • single note accentuations, as part of articulation
      • non-systematic/quasi-random dynamics fluctuations
  • Articulation, defined as a list of modifiers that are applied to a particular note's duration, dynamics, timing, tuning
  • Ornamentation
    • temporal spread of notes that are notated at the same time position (arpeggiated chords)
    • dynamics gradient to shape the dynamics of an ornament
  • Several randomization models for timing, dynamics, tone duration and tuning

Features that MPM does not yet implement

  • Sound
    • description of instrument specifics and how they are applied by the performer
    • description of the sound synthesis method and parameter modulations during performance
    • timbre (high-level descriptors)
    • pipe organ registrations
  • Express and simulate the interplay of successive articulations (may be part of articulation definitions)
  • Interplay/communication of musicians in an ensemble; simulate musicians reacting on each other; this involves:
    • spacial ensemble setup,
    • room acoustics,
    • mutual visibility and audibility,
    • role of individual musicians (conductor, first violinist etc.),
    • experience (amateur vs. professional), ...
  • Playing techniques (e.g., fingering, pedaling, bowing, use of mutes ...)
  • Tuning/intonation
    • tuning system,
    • successive note interplay,
    • pitch drift in choir singing
  • Spacial ensemble setup
  • Room acoustics
  • Ornamentation, i.e. intentional alterations of the notes being played
  • Temporal/agogic metrical accentuation
  • Vibrato
  • Errors, i.e. unintentional alterations of the notes being played
  • Aestetic agenda
    • describing the high-level conception of a specific performance,
    • describing a more general high-level conception, i.e. a mapping of musical context to choice of performance features; might ultimately lead to a "raw performance" generator
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