Ho Ching Wong Undergraduate Dissertation 2015/16

Write Me a Hit Record: Music Generation with Hybrid Model of Neural Networks and Evolutionary Algorithm

Supervised by M.Stannett

Abstract

Music is considered to be an essential part of life. While most music compositional works are performed by humans, can a computer learn and compose in similar ways? In this project, music composition system is created with the latest AI techniques. The system is consisted of several parts including a neural network, a counterpoint Evolutionary Algorithm and some other component programs. MIDI songs are the learning source of the music composition system, where the outputs are in MIDI format as well.

The songs generated are distributed to human listeners for evaluation. The feedbacks regarding the generated songs are encouraging, and it is safe to say computers are capable to generate simple yet pleasant songs.