Preface

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n interactive music system is a hardware and/or software configuration

that allows an individual to accomplish a musical task, typically in real
time, through some interaction. Though commonly associated with composition and performance, the tasks associated with interactive music systems can
include analysis, instruction, assessment, rehearsal, research, therapy, synthesis,
and more. These systems typically have some set of controls, hardware or software, such as switches, keys, buttons, and sensors by which musical elements
like harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and timbre can be manipulated in real time
through user interaction.
In this book, we use the programming language Max/MSP/Jitter to write
custom software for musical interaction. We discuss the concepts needed to
complete your project, complete many projects in a step-by-step style guide,
and look at examples of working systems. Emphasis is placed on the pedagogical implications of software creation to accomplish these tasks. Whether you
want to create a program for composers that explores relationships between two
modes or an exercise for beginners that helps improve finger dexterity, you will
soon learn how writing customized software can supplement and complement
your instructional objectives. We also discuss ways to interact with the software
beyond just the mouse and keyboard through use of camera tracking, pitch
tracking, videogame controllers, sensors, mobile devices, and more.

Why Design Custom Software?

Today, there are software applications for just about everything, but to what
extent do we allow music software to dictate how we teach musical concepts?
After installing a software application, its normal to look at the program and
ask what does it do, how can I perform with this, and how can I make a
demonstration or instructional activity out of this for my class? Theres certainly nothing wrong with this, but you may already have some musical ideas in
mind and are looking for a way to express them using the efficiency and interactivity of technology. However, existing software may not be able to address
the particular concepts you want to address from the angle you prefer.
Imagine teaching harmony with the aid of a specialized program that
showed common tones between the chords and scales, or a program that used
the first seven number keys to play the seven diatonic chords of a key. Imagine