Computer Analysis of Jazz Chord Sequence: Is Solar a Blues?

Abstract

This chapter investigates the issue of the role of the computer in musical analysis. Starting with a survey of the main approaches in computer analysis, we focus on the particular problem of Jazz chord sequences harmonic analysis. We propose a theory of chord sequence analysis, based on an explicit conceptual hierarchy of analysis objects. We discuss the implementation of the theory and its results on a typical example (Blues for Alice, by Charlie Parker), for which the system produces an analysis which conforms exactly to human interpretation. We also exhibit a chord sequence, Solar (by Miles Davis), for which the results of the system do not conform to human perception, i.e. it does not find it is a Blues. We conclude on the issue of the role for the computer in musical analysis.

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