Interactive Composition: Strategies Using Ableton Live and Max for Live

Interactive Composition empowers readers with all of the practical skills and insights they need to compose and perform electronic popular music in a variety of popular styles. The book begins by introducing all of the tools involved in creating interactive compositions through the software Ableton Live and Max for Live. The following chapters then put the tools to use by both describing particular musical styles and also teaching readers how to compose and perform within these styles using the software. As readers progresses through the book, they will learn to use the software to facilitate their own unique compositional objectives.

This book takes readers through all of the steps in designing interactive music compositions. It is geared toward both beginners as well as intermediate and advanced readers, and so readers with even little experience working with digital audio software will quickly learn how to design powerful systems that facilitate their unique compositional ideas.

A particular feature of this book is that it discusses the historical context of several electronic music styles used by DJs, electronic musicians, and other artists, and then describes, using software, the technical process used in the composition and performance of these styles. Each chapter leads readers to create an original composition in a given style and also discusses the techniques that can be used to perform the piece in an idiomatic fashion.

V.J. Manzo is Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Cognition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is a composer and guitarist with research interests in theory and composition, artificial intelligence, interactive music systems, and music learning. He is the author of the book MAX/MSP/Jitter for Music on programming software-based interactive music systems for composition, performance, instruction, and research. For more information visit vjmanzo.com

Will Kuhn is the Department Chair and Music Technology instructor at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ohio. In 2006, he designed an innovative Music Tech curriculum focused on amateur music production, which as of this writing involves over 350 students annually. His lab-based courses and student projects are regularly featured at regional music education events. Nationally, he gives clinics and workshops on revitalizing school music programs for the 21st century. For more information visit willkuhn.com.