Exercises
+ Associated files
This page provides a series of exercises that were initially written to accompany the 2012 workshops in Edinburgh and Karlsruhe. Each one builds on the content from one of the pages of the manual, taking the main points from that page and providing the user with functional code that can be modified to meet the goals stipulated.
There are no right or wrong answers to these exercises; they can all be solved in many different ways. They simply provide the source code, a suggested task that can be easily achieved with that code, and an environment for the "learning by tweaking" approach that so many of us have followed in our own endeavors to use computer programming in musical contexts.
+ Core usage
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the core usage manual page.
Using the "mini" template below, modify (or in some cases add) the following parameters through hand-coding (no loops or algorithms) to generate your own short 1-section piece:
:title:ensemble:staff-groupings:tempo-map:set-limits-high:set-limits-low:set-palette(changing the number of sets):set-map(changing the length of the map)
Caution: Remember that the length of the set-map and the length of each player's list of seqs in the rthm-seq-map must always be equal.:rthm-seq-palette(changing the number of seqs):rthm-seq-map(changing the length of the map)
Caution: Remember that the length of the set-map and the length of each player's list of seqs in the rthm-seq-map must always be equal.- output file names
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:title "mini template"
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))
(va (viola :midi-channel 2))
(vc (cello :midi-channel 3))))
:set-limits-high '((vn (0 c7 100 c7))
(va (0 d5 100 d5))
(vc (0 a4 100 a4)))
:set-limits-low '((vn (0 a4 100 a4))
(va (0 d4 100 d4))
(vc (0 g2 100 g2)))
:set-palette '((1 ((c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c5)))
(2 ((cs4 ds4 e4 fs4 gs4 as4 b4 cs5))))
:set-map '((1 (1 2 1 2 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette '((1 ((((2 4) (s) e (s) - e e -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3))))
(2 ((((2 4) e (s) s - +s e - (s)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((2 3 1))))
(3 ((((2 4) - e e - e (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((3 1 2)))))
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((vn (1 2 3 2 1))
(va (2 3 2 1 2))
(vc (3 2 1 2 3))))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ Intra-phrasal looping — fibonacci-transitions and chop
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the intra-phrasal looping manual page.
Using the template below and referencing the examples before it:
- Generate the
set-mapusingfibonacci-transitionsorremix-in. - Assign your own
rthm-seq-paletteto one variable and a chopped version of that palette to another. - Replace the
rthm-seq-palettewith the variable assigned to the chopped palette. - Use the
print-simplemethod to print out the bars contained inchop. - Use two-item references, consisting of
the
rthm-seq-palettenumber paired with therthm-seqnumber, as the contents of therthm-seq-map. - Apply
re-barand generate output. - Stay with only one player for now.
;;; print-simple example
;;; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(let* ((orig-palette (make-rsp 'orig ; original rthm-seq-palette
'((1 ((((1 4) - s e s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3))))
(2 ((((1 4) - e. s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2))))
(3 ((((1 4) - (e.) s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1)))))))
(chopped-palette (chop orig-palette ; chopped rthm-seq-palette
'((1 4) ; \
(1 3) (2 4) ; - chop points
(1 2) (2 3) (3 4) ; /|
(1 1) (2 2) (3 3) (4 4)) ; /
's)))
(print-simple chopped-palette))
;;; chopped example
;;; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(let* ((orig-palette (make-rsp 'orig ; original rthm-seq-palette
'((1 ((((1 4) - s e s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3))))
(2 ((((1 4) - e. s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2))))
(3 ((((1 4) - (e.) s - ))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1)))))))
(chopped-palette (chop orig-palette ; chopped rthm-seq-palette
'((1 4)
(1 3) (2 4)
(1 2) (2 3) (3 4)
(1 1) (2 2) (3 3) (4 4)) ; chop points
's)) ; chopping unit
(chop-examp
(make-slippery-chicken
'+chop-examp+
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))))
:bars-per-system-map '((1 10))
:set-palette '((1 ((c4 d4 e4))))
:set-map '((1 (1 1 1 1 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette chopped-palette
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((vn ((1 1) (1 2) (1 3) (2 1) (3 2)))))))))
(re-bar chop-examp :min-time-sig '(1 4))
(midi-play chop-examp)
(cmn-display chop-examp)
(write-lp-data-for-all chop-examp))
;;; template
;;; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:title "mini template"
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))))
:set-palette '((1 ((c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c5)))
(2 ((cs4 ds4 e4 fs4 gs4 as4 b4 cs5))))
:set-map '((1 (1 2 1 2 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette '((1 ((((2 4) (s) e (s) - e e -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3)))))
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((vn (1 1 1 1 1))))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ sc and CLM
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the sc and CLM manual page.
Using the template below and sound files available from michael-edwards.org/sc/media/test-sndfiles.zip:
- Modify the
set-paletteandset-map,rthm-seq-paletteandrthm-seq-mapto your liking. - Modify the
sndfile-paletteto reflect the location of the given or your own sound files. - Generate a series of sound files with calls
to
clm-play, using different parameters and keywords.- Based on one voice only, with one group
- Based on all voices
- Using various degrees of reverb
- By setting start- and end-times within the
sndfile-palette - Once pitch-synchronous, once not
- Modifying base-frequency settings
- Choosing a second group for fibonacci transitioning
- Resetting the sounds each seq/player
- using the
:time-scalerargument
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:ensemble '(((fl (flute :midi-channel 1))
(ob (oboe :midi-channel 2))
(bn (bassoon :midi-channel 3))))
:set-palette '((1 ((c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 a2 b2
c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 a3 b3
c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4
c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 a5 b5 c6))))
:set-map '((1 (1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette
'((1 ((((2 4) (s) - s e - - e e -)
(q - e s s -)
((5 8) - e s s e - q))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 1 3 5 4 6 3 5 5 7 9 6 5))))
(2 ((((2 4) - e e - - e (s) s -)
(- e s s - q)
((5 8) - s s e - q e))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 1 3 2 3 3 4 2 3 2 2 4 6))))
(3 ((((2 4) - e e - (s) - s e - )
(- s s e - - +e e -)
((5 8) - e e - - +e e - - s s -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((4 1 1 1 1 3 5 7 9 10 11 10 7)))))
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((fl (3 2 1 1 3 3 3 2 1 1 2))
(ob (1 1 3 2 2 3 2 1 3 3 1))
(bn (1 2 2 1 3 3 1 1 3 2 3)))))
:snd-output-dir "/tmp/"
:sndfile-palette
'(((developing-group
((test-sndfile-1.aiff)
(test-sndfile-2.aiff)
(test-sndfile-3.aiff)))
(percussive-group
((test-sndfile-4.aiff)
(test-sndfile-5.aiff)
(test-sndfile-6.aiff))))
("/Users/medward2/lisp/sc/test-suite/test-sndfiles-dir-1/"
"/Users/medward2/lisp/sc/test-suite/test-sndfiles-dir-2/")))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini)
(clm-play mini 1 nil 'percussive-group))
+ Post-generation data editing
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the post-generation data editing manual page.
Using the template below, add dynamics and other marks, trills, and ties, change individual pitches, and move/copy events using the following post-generation methods:
- add-mark-to-note
- trill
- tie-over-rest
- tie-over-all-rests
- change-pitch
- move-events
- double-events
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:title "mini template"
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))
(va (viola :midi-channel 2))
(vc (cello :midi-channel 3))))
:set-limits-high '((vn (0 c7 100 c7))
(va (0 d5 100 d5))
(vc (0 a4 100 a4)))
:set-limits-low '((vn (0 a4 100 a4))
(va (0 d4 100 d4))
(vc (0 g2 100 g2)))
:set-palette '((1 ((c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c5)))
(2 ((cs4 ds4 e4 fs4 gs4 as4 b4 cs5))))
:set-map '((1 (1 2 1 2 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette '((1 ((((2 4) (s) e (s) - e e -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3))))
(2 ((((2 4) e (s) s - +s e - (s)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((2 3 1))))
(3 ((((2 4) - e e - e (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((3 1 2)))))
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((vn (1 2 3 2 1))
(va (2 3 2 1 2))
(vc (3 2 1 2 3))))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ Score layout
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the score layout manual page.
Using the following template, add code to change the header, alter score order, change staff groupings, modify bars-per-system in CMN, change bar-line types, add rehearsal letters, change clefs, and extract parts.
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))
(va (viola :midi-channel 2))
(vc (cello :midi-channel 3))))
:set-limits-high '((vn (0 c7 100 c7))
(va (0 d5 100 d5))
(vc (0 a4 100 a4)))
:set-limits-low '((vn (0 a4 100 a4))
(va (0 d4 100 d4))
(vc (0 g2 100 g2)))
:set-palette '((1 ((c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c5)))
(2 ((cs4 ds4 e4 fs4 gs4 as4 b4 cs5))))
:set-map '((1 (1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1)))
:rthm-seq-palette '((1 ((((2 4) (s) e (s) - e e -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 3))))
(2 ((((2 4) e (s) s - +s e - (s)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((2 3 1))))
(3 ((((2 4) - e e - e (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((3 1 2)))))
:rthm-seq-map '((1 ((vn (1 2 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1))
(va (2 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2))
(vc (3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3))))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ Permutations
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the permutations manual page.
Based on the following example, use a number of the permutations functions to generate the set-map and rthm-seq-maps.
- permutations
- inefficient-permutations
- permutate
- inefficiently-permutate
- shuffle
(let* ((perms (permutations 4))
(mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))))
:tempo-map '((1 (q 84)))
:set-palette '((0 ((d4 a4 d5 e5 a5 d6)))
(1 ((d4 e4 a4 d5 e5 a5 d6)))
(2 ((e4 a4 e5 a5 e6)))
(3 ((e4 a4 b4 e5 a5 b5 e5))))
:set-limits-high '((vn (0 d5 50 c7 100 g4)))
:set-limits-low '((vn (0 g3 50 e5 100 c4)))
:set-map `((1 ,(flatten (loop for p in perms
collect p))))
:rthm-seq-palette '((0 ((((4 4) - 32 32 - (e.) (s) - s s s -
- { 3 ts ts ts } (e) - - (s) 32 32 - (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 1 4 3 2 3 5 2 3))))
(1 ((((5 8) { 3 - ts ts ts - } s (s) (s) s (s) s
- s s -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((7 5 2 3 2 2 5 7))))
(2 ((((3 4) (s) - s s s - +q +s s (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((2 3 7 6))))
(3 ((((3 8) (s) - 32 32 - s (e.)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((7 6 3)))))
:rthm-seq-map `((1 ((vn
,(flatten (loop for p in perms
collect p)))))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ L-systems
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the l-systems manual page.
Based on the following example, use make-l-for-lookup to make your own l-for-lookup object and do-simple-lookup to generate the set-map and rthm-seq-map for a slippery-chicken piece.
(let* ((num-bars 37)
(lfl (make-l-for-lookup 'l-sys
'((1 ((a)))
(2 ((b))))
'((1 (1 2)) (2 (1)))))
(l-sys-list (flatten (do-simple-lookup lfl 1 num-bars)))
(mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:ensemble '(((vn (violin :midi-channel 1))))
:tempo-map '((1 (q 84)))
:set-palette '((a ((e4 a4 b4 e5 a5 b5 e5)))
(b ((e4 fs4 gs4 b4 cs5 e5 b5))))
:set-limits-high '((vn (0 d5 50 c7 100 g4)))
:set-limits-low '((vn (0 g3 50 e5 100 c4)))
:set-map (list (list 1 l-sys-list))
:rthm-seq-palette '((a ((((4 4) - 32 32 - (e.) (s) - s s s -
- { 3 ts ts ts } (e) - - (s) 32 32 - (e)))
:pitch-seq-palette ((1 2 1 4 3 2 3 5 2 3))))
(b ((((5 8) { 3 - ts ts ts - } s (s) (s) s (s) s
- s s -))
:pitch-seq-palette ((7 5 2 3 2 2 5 7)))))
:rthm-seq-map (list
(list 1
(list
(list 'vn l-sys-list)))))))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini))
+ Rhythm Chains
This exercise is based on the material, topics, and techniques covered on the the rhythm chains manual page.
Based on the following example, make your own rthm-chain object and use it as the source material for manually determined rthm-seq map. Apply re-bar before generating output.
(let* ((rch
(make-rthm-chain
'test-rch 143
'((((e) e) ; 4 in total
(- s (s) (s) s -)
({ 3 (te) - te te - })
((e.) s))
(({ 3 (te) te (te) }) ; what we transition to
({ 3 - te (te) te - })
({ 3 (te) - te te - })
({ 3 (te) (te) te })))
'((((q q) ; the 2/4 bars: 4 total
((q) q)
((q) q)
((q) (s) e.))
(({ 3 te+te te+te te+te }) ; what we transition to
(q - s e. -)
(q (s) e.)
(q (s) - s e -)))
((((e.) s (e) e (s) e.) ; the 3/4 bars: 4 total
(- e e - (e) e (q))
(- e. s - - +e e - (q))
(q (e.) s (q)))
(({ 3 (te) (te) te+te te+te } (q)) ; what we transition to
(- e. s - (q) (s) - s e -)
({ 3 te+te te } (q) q)
({ 3 - te te te - } (e) e { 3 (te) (te) te }))))
:players '(fl cl))))
(create-psps (palette rch))
(let* ((mini
(make-slippery-chicken
'+mini+
:ensemble '(((fl (flute :midi-channel 1))
(cl (b-flat-clarinet :midi-channel 2))))
:set-palette '((1 ((e2 a2 cs4 fs4 gs4 a4 b4 e5 gs5 b5 e6))))
:set-map `((1 ,(ml 1 (num-rthm-seqs rch))))
:rthm-seq-palette (palette rch)
:rthm-seq-map rch)))
(re-bar mini :min-time-sig '(4 4))
(midi-play mini)
(cmn-display mini)
(write-lp-data-for-all mini)))