“Prelude” is a generative music and visual project created with Web Audio API and P5.js. Colour gradients are calculated from amplitudes of the randomly generated waveforms between a colour selected from a palette and white to create a corrugated effect which is then animated and the width is slightly warped to give it a fluid quality. At the heart of "Prelude" is a musical component deeply rooted in improvisation, drawing inspiration from a game I devised for guitar practice. This game involves identifying specific permissible notes for each string, then playing a string pattern while choosing an appropriate note each time. In "Prelude", this concept is brought to life through code.
The program autonomously 'plays' this improvisation game, solidifying a four-bar melody upon the piece's minting, along with a fifth bar that serves as a 'turnaround.' Alongside this, a drum pattern and an overarching structure are also established during the minting process. The drums are programmed to either play through certain bars, execute a drum fill, or remain silent, adding to the dynamic nature of the piece. This project was awarded a prize in early 2024 for the We Love The Art competition by Optimism.
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