Real-Time Recognition of Improvisations with Adaptive Oscillators and a Recursive Bayesian Classifier

Understanding and following musical improvisations with a computer requires methods different from those needed when following score-based musical performances. This paper discusses questions related to interactive music systems for the recognition and accompaniment of tonal improvisations. This includes discussion about rhythmic parsing and harmonic analysis with a recursive Bayesian classifier. Finally, a real-time MIDI system for identifying and following tonal improvisations is described.