You might be wondering: “Why the Music Intelligence Lab? Isn’t this just another music technology lab? Is it just AI for music?” Let’s delve into the heart of what sets our lab apart.
A different kind of music lab
There’s a long tradition of music technology labs, and at first glance, our work might seem similar. The name “Music Intelligence Lab” might even suggest we’re all about artificial intelligence churning out new tunes. But that only scratches the surface.
We do harness AI and modern algorithms, but our true mission is to dive deep into music itself — to uncover the intelligence woven into its fabric. We’re not really interested in creating music with AI algorithms out of context. We’re striving to understand the intelligence inherent in music by analyzing it directly from the source; the music itself. We’re fascinated by the patterns, structures, and theories that give music its power, especially within the rich and intricate world of Arabic music with its nonstandard tuning and unique modalities.
The intelligence within music
“Music Intelligence” isn’t just a catchy phrase for us. Music isn’t merely a mental exercise; it’s a profoundly physical act. Ask any musician — they’ll tell you that the best performances happen when they stop overthinking and get in a state of flow. It’s a state where intuition (rather than analytical intelligence) takes the lead.
We’re fascinated by this physical intelligence and we believe that truly understanding music means appreciating how the mind and body collaborate during performance. While analysis and abstraction have their place, they can sometimes strip away the essence that makes music resonate on a human level. Our lab thrives in that sweet spot, exploring the tension between the analytical and the physical, aiming to bridge the gap between them.
Beyond the AI buzz
Yes, AI is revolutionizing countless fields — including music — but we’re not just interested in riding the wave. We’re intrigued by how AI can help us peel back the layers of music to reveal deeper insights. We’re not just using AI to generate music; we’re leveraging it as a lens to examine the intelligence that music already possesses.
This leads us to questions like: how can machine learning uncover patterns in musical compositions that might elude human analysis? How can we design instruments and interfaces that tap into our physical intelligence, making the creation of music more intuitive and expressive?
Music as a complex system
As a sister lab to the Data-Driven Modeling Lab (DDML) and supported by the Center for Advanced Mathematical Sciences (CAMS), we approach music as a complex system — a web of interactions as intricate as any found in physics or society. Music unifies, harmonizes, and elevates. It brings together simple sounds to create something profoundly complex, much like how societies organize or scientific theories emerge from observations.
In our socio-cultural environment where challenges are ever-present, music offers solace and cohesion. Recognizing music as a form of intelligence underscores its power to heal, unite, and inspire.
Our vision
All these dimensions — understanding music through AI, embracing the physical intelligence of performance, redefining what intelligence means, and viewing music as a complex system — come together to define the essence of the Music Intelligence Lab.
We’re here to push boundaries, to question, to explore. We’re bridging the gap between the tactile world of musical performance and the abstract realm of music analysis. We’re embracing the complexity of music as both an art and a science.
That’s what the Music Intelligence Lab is all about.