Automated Methods and Tools for Analyzing and Structuring Choral Music

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Meinard Müller
• Subject Area: Image and Language Processing, Computer Graphics and Visualisation, Human Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous and Wearable Computing
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 372251794

Processing musical signals automatically is a major challenge because of the variety of music in form and content. The Metrum project, funded by the DFG from 2012 to 2015, dealt with the development of fundamental computer-assisted methods for analyzing and structuring musical signals. In the transfer project we propose, these automated methods are to be tested in practice, in cooperation with the Carus publishing house - a leading music publisher for religious and secular choral music with headquarters in Stuttgart. We plan to develop web-based prototypes for the interactive navigation and analysis of choral music recordings, which may be used to support music lessons in schools or to train choir directors. Besides realizing the prototypes, the following fundamental questions are in the focus of the project. First, we want to examine the suitability of novel navigation, visualization and sonification methods for musical structures by integrating them into user interfaces. Second, we want to investigate how and to what extent (partially) automated procedures can help simplify the process of linking and analyzing multimedia content - tasks that are often done in a purely manual fashion. In particular, we want to evaluate and adapt automated synchronization and structuring methods considering specific application scenarios. Third, we want to develop personalization strategies embedded into interactive tools that allow users to structure and analyze music recordings according to their specific needs, expectations, and requirements. Such strategies are not only of great practical relevance, but raise new scientific questions on how to develop adaptive strategies for analyzing and modifying musical signals. Through the close collaboration with the Carus publishing house, the project offers numerous cross-connections to fields such as music education and musicology, which will stimulate further interdisciplinary cooperations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants (Transfer Project)
• Application Partner: Carus-Verlag GmbH & Co. KG