Aleatoric Music (a.k.a. Chance Music, or Indeterminate Music) uses randomization techniques to assist in the composition process.
For this demo, a deck of cards, pulled in pairs, is used to determine a series of dyads (two-note chords).
Each bar contains two pitches, each in its own rhythmic tuplet determined by the value of the card. This system gives each measure a unique polyrhythm.
For Example, a 10 and a King would create a 10:13 polyrhythm over the span of 4 quarter notes.
A 3 and a Queen would create a 3:12 polyrhythm over 4 quarter notes.
The echoes are also automated in milliseconds to match these rhythms.
To make things even more unnecessarily complex, a 13-note octave is used (because there are 13 individual cards per suit).
Each card also has its own unique pitch determined by its value (steps) and color (up or down from Center / Middle C).
For example, the 6 of Clubs (Black) is placed 6 steps below Middle C in 13-EDO.
The 10 of Hearts (Red) is placed 10 steps above Middle C in 13-EDO.
Worth mentioning the struggle-bus involved in gripping the cards with gloves on – along with the added pressure of a clanking metronome!
Cheers to another poorly planned project. 😉
