Realtime Generation of Harmonic Progressions Using Constrained Markov Selection.

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a method of generating harmonic progressions using case-based analysis of existing material that employs a variable-order Markov model. Using a unique method for quantifying harmonic complexity and tension between chord transitions, as well as specifying a desired bass-line, the user specifies a 3 dimensional vector, which the realtime generative algorithm attempts to match during chord sequence generation. The proposed system thus offers a balance between user-requested material and coherence within the database.