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Background and Research
I completed my Ph.D. at the MIT Media Lab in 2006. Prior to that, I received a B.A. in music from Harvard
and spent two years as Ph.D. student in composition and theory at Brandeis.
My research encompasses topics in
music theory and cognition, computational modeling of music,
and computer-assisted/algorithmic composition systems.
I also perform professionally as a harpsichordist and enjoy playing both
early music and new music. I'm currently a visiting professor at NYU.
Music Theory/Cognition/Computation
Modeling Musical Tension
- Dissertation research. A quantitative, parametric model for describing musical tension based on
empirical data that takes into account multiple, disparate musical features including
melodic contour, harmony, onset frequency, tempo variations, rhythmic regularity, and dynamics.
Palestrina
- Analysis and synthesis of Palestrina-style counterpoint using probabilistic Markov chains.
Music Universals Study
- Online study in collaboration with Josh McDermott
(MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences department).
Parts 1 and 2 are designed by McDermott, Part 3 is designed by me.
Computer-Assisted Composition
Hyperscore
- A graphical computer-assisted composition application that facilitates composition through the
intelligent mapping of musical features to graphical abstractions.
Future Music Blender -
An interactive music technology exhibit at the Haus der Musik in Vienna. I wrote software that allowed museum visitors
to compose with sound using sampled audio controlled by physical gestures.
Audio/Other Projects
Paganini Project
- MAX/MSP object that analyzes audio input from a violin and generates appropriate harmonic accompaniment.
System designed for violinist Joshua Bell.
AddSynth
- Graphical application that allows users to model sounds with additive synthesis and other audio techniques.
Nature of Mathematical Modeling
- Simulations of differential equations and cellular automata.
Harpsichord Performance
Papers/Publications
Farbood, M. A Quantitative, Parametric Model of Musical Tension. Ph.D. Thesis. MIT Media Laboratory, 2006.
Farbood, M., and Schoner, B. "Analysis and Synthesis of Palestrina-Style Counterpoint Using Markov Chains."
Proceedings of the 2001 International Computer Music Conference.
Farbood, M., Pasztor, E., Jennings., K. "Hyperscore: A Graphical Sketchpad for Novice Composers."
IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, January-March 2004.
Farbood, M., Kaufman, H., Jennings. "Composing with Hyperscore: An intuitive interface for visualizing musical structure."
Proceedings of the 2007 International Computer Music Conference.
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