Electro-Acoustic Music

 

Electro-Acoustic Music - any music which contains electronic elements

 

Musique Concrète - music created using only real-world sounds (often not traditionally musical). More recently also called "sampling."

 

Electronic Music - music created using only electronic circuits (for example, oscillators)

 

Computer Music - music created using a computer (algorithmic)

  • Two types:
    • Computer used to create or change sound
    • Computer used to create composition (computer generated music - associated more with research in AI; composition may ultimately be played on acoustic instruments)

 

Digital Music - usually reserved for music which has been created on a digital system (often a computer) and then converted to analog sound at some point. Could also refer to music which is reproduced using digital media.

 

Tape Music - general term sometimes applied to electro-acoustic music because early EAM was on magnetic tape. More recent terms which have begun to replace “Tape:” computer music, computer-generated sounds, electronic sound, computer-altered tape, etc.

 

Acousmatic - music in which the original source of the sound is not visually apparent; from the name for Pythagoras' outer circle of listeners (akousmatikoi) who were not permitted to see him speak, but could listen from the other side of a curtain.

Instrument and Tape Music - music written for acoustic instrumental forces (solo instrument up to large ensembles like orchestra) and electronic sounds, usually played on magnetic tape (see "Tape Music").

 

Live Electronic Music - E-A music in which some element is performed live. Possibilities include:

  • live electronic instruments (often MIDI)
  • live interaction between  MIDI or acoustic instrument and processor
  • live interaction between something (instruments, dancers, audience) and a computer or electronic sound source
  • live realization of computer generated and created composition