Musical Composition and Two-Dimensional Cellular Automata Based on Music Intervals
Igor Lugo
Centro Regional de Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias (CRIM)
Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM)
Av. Universidad s/n, Circuito 2
Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
Martha G. Alatriste-Contreras
Facultad de Economía
Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM)
Circuito Escolar, C.U. Coyoacán
Ciudad de México, 04510, México
Abstract
This paper uses a theoretical approach to explore the applicability of a two-dimensional cellular automaton based on melodic and harmonic intervals in random arrays of musical notes. Our aim is to explore alternative uses for a cellular automaton in the musical context for better understanding musical creativity. We use the complex systems and humanities approaches as a framework for capturing the essence of creating music based on rules of music theory. Findings suggest that such rules matter for generating large-scale patterns of organized notes. Therefore, our formulation provides a novel approach for understanding and replicating aspects of musical creativity.
Keywords: musical composition; music creativity; music intervals; complex systems; cellular automata; data analysis
Cite this publication as:
I. Lugo and M. G. Alatriste-Contreras, “Musical Composition and Two-Dimensional Cellular Automata Based on Music Intervals,” Complex Systems, 34(2), 2025 pp. 235–251.
https://doi.org/10.25088/ComplexSystems.34.2.235
