The description of a process for identifying musical performance behavior in instrumentalists using computer-based sound spectrum analysis, with implications for an interactive acoustic musical system

Abstract

In summary, it is apparent that a computer-based sound analysis system will provide information which, in association with analysis of a performer's audiovisual records can permit identification of performance behaviour. This facility makes possible the structuring of a database of tagged performance attributes that, when recognized by a computer-driven interactive instructional system, will allow a CAL environment to provide a musician with both diagnostic response to performance or instructional feedback for skill acquisition, depending on how the system is programmed when the computer recognizes what the acoustic musical performer is doing. For the purposes of securing greater reliability and validity in the computer-based analysis of performance behaviour, the process described here must be replicated many times and the frequency spectra analyzed quantitatively across the range and types of performance responses. However, within the limits of this study it is worthwhile noting that, gradually, both the technology of computer-based sound processing and its potential for education are evolving toward the generation of practical tools for music learning.