annotate draft.tex @ 60:df1e90609de3

Added newplots generated from Andrew's updated tracking files.
author samer
date Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:11:31 +0000
parents 6e492b4eff44
children 8d0763474065
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samer@41 1 \documentclass[conference]{IEEEtran}
samer@59 2 \usepackage{fixltx2e}
samer@4 3 \usepackage{cite}
samer@4 4 \usepackage[cmex10]{amsmath}
samer@4 5 \usepackage{graphicx}
samer@4 6 \usepackage{amssymb}
samer@4 7 \usepackage{epstopdf}
samer@4 8 \usepackage{url}
samer@4 9 \usepackage{listings}
samer@18 10 %\usepackage[expectangle]{tools}
samer@9 11 \usepackage{tools}
samer@18 12 \usepackage{tikz}
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samer@18 14 \usetikzlibrary{matrix}
samer@18 15 \usetikzlibrary{patterns}
samer@18 16 \usetikzlibrary{arrows}
samer@9 17
samer@9 18 \let\citep=\cite
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samer@18 29 \newcommand\Ix{\mathcal{I}}
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samer@18 35
samer@18 36
samer@18 37 \def\ev(#1=#2){#1\!\!=\!#2}
samer@18 38 \newcommand\rv[1]{\Omega \to #1}
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samer@18 40 \newcommand\cmin{\!-\!}
samer@18 41 \newcommand\modulo[2]{#1\!\!\!\!\!\mod#2}
samer@18 42
samer@18 43 \newcommand\sumitoN{\sum_{i=1}^N}
samer@18 44 \newcommand\sumktoK{\sum_{k=1}^K}
samer@18 45 \newcommand\sumjtoK{\sum_{j=1}^K}
samer@18 46 \newcommand\sumalpha{\sum_{\alpha\in\A}}
samer@18 47 \newcommand\prodktoK{\prod_{k=1}^K}
samer@18 48 \newcommand\prodjtoK{\prod_{j=1}^K}
samer@18 49
samer@18 50 \newcommand\past[1]{\overset{\rule{0pt}{0.2em}\smash{\leftarrow}}{#1}}
samer@18 51 \newcommand\fut[1]{\overset{\rule{0pt}{0.1em}\smash{\rightarrow}}{#1}}
samer@18 52 \newcommand\parity[2]{P^{#1}_{2,#2}}
samer@4 53
samer@4 54 %\usepackage[parfill]{parskip}
samer@4 55
samer@4 56 \begin{document}
samer@41 57 \title{Cognitive Music Modelling: an\\Information Dynamics Approach}
samer@4 58
samer@4 59 \author{
hekeus@16 60 \IEEEauthorblockN{Samer A. Abdallah, Henrik Ekeus, Peter Foster}
hekeus@16 61 \IEEEauthorblockN{Andrew Robertson and Mark D. Plumbley}
samer@4 62 \IEEEauthorblockA{Centre for Digital Music\\
samer@4 63 Queen Mary University of London\\
samer@41 64 Mile End Road, London E1 4NS}}
samer@4 65
samer@4 66 \maketitle
samer@18 67 \begin{abstract}
samer@18 68 People take in information when perceiving music. With it they continually
samer@18 69 build predictive models of what is going to happen. There is a relationship
samer@18 70 between information measures and how we perceive music. An information
samer@18 71 theoretic approach to music cognition is thus a fruitful avenue of research.
samer@18 72 In this paper, we review the theoretical foundations of information dynamics
samer@18 73 and discuss a few emerging areas of application.
hekeus@16 74 \end{abstract}
samer@4 75
samer@4 76
samer@25 77 \section{Introduction}
samer@9 78 \label{s:Intro}
samer@56 79 The relationship between
samer@56 80 Shannon's \cite{Shannon48} information theory and music and art in general has been the
samer@56 81 subject of some interest since the 1950s
samer@56 82 \cite{Youngblood58,CoonsKraehenbuehl1958,HillerBean66,Moles66,Meyer67,Cohen1962}.
samer@56 83 The general thesis is that perceptible qualities and subjective states
samer@56 84 like uncertainty, surprise, complexity, tension, and interestingness
samer@56 85 are closely related to information-theoretic quantities like
samer@56 86 entropy, relative entropy, and mutual information.
samer@56 87
samer@56 88 Music is also an inherently dynamic process,
samer@56 89 where listeners build up expectations on what is to happen next,
samer@56 90 which are either satisfied or modified as the music unfolds.
samer@56 91 In this paper, we explore this ``Information Dynamics'' view of music,
samer@56 92 discussing the theory behind it and some emerging appliations
samer@9 93
samer@25 94 \subsection{Expectation and surprise in music}
samer@18 95 One of the effects of listening to music is to create
samer@18 96 expectations of what is to come next, which may be fulfilled
samer@9 97 immediately, after some delay, or not at all as the case may be.
samer@9 98 This is the thesis put forward by, amongst others, music theorists
samer@18 99 L. B. Meyer \cite{Meyer67} and Narmour \citep{Narmour77}, but was
samer@18 100 recognised much earlier; for example,
samer@9 101 it was elegantly put by Hanslick \cite{Hanslick1854} in the
samer@9 102 nineteenth century:
samer@9 103 \begin{quote}
samer@9 104 `The most important factor in the mental process which accompanies the
samer@9 105 act of listening to music, and which converts it to a source of pleasure,
samer@18 106 is \ldots the intellectual satisfaction
samer@9 107 which the listener derives from continually following and anticipating
samer@9 108 the composer's intentions---now, to see his expectations fulfilled, and
samer@18 109 now, to find himself agreeably mistaken.
samer@18 110 %It is a matter of course that
samer@18 111 %this intellectual flux and reflux, this perpetual giving and receiving
samer@18 112 %takes place unconsciously, and with the rapidity of lightning-flashes.'
samer@9 113 \end{quote}
samer@9 114 An essential aspect of this is that music is experienced as a phenomenon
samer@9 115 that `unfolds' in time, rather than being apprehended as a static object
samer@9 116 presented in its entirety. Meyer argued that musical experience depends
samer@9 117 on how we change and revise our conceptions \emph{as events happen}, on
samer@9 118 how expectation and prediction interact with occurrence, and that, to a
samer@9 119 large degree, the way to understand the effect of music is to focus on
samer@9 120 this `kinetics' of expectation and surprise.
samer@9 121
samer@25 122 Prediction and expectation are essentially probabilistic concepts
samer@25 123 and can be treated mathematically using probability theory.
samer@25 124 We suppose that when we listen to music, expectations are created on the basis
samer@25 125 of our familiarity with various styles of music and our ability to
samer@25 126 detect and learn statistical regularities in the music as they emerge,
samer@25 127 There is experimental evidence that human listeners are able to internalise
samer@25 128 statistical knowledge about musical structure, \eg
samer@25 129 \citep{SaffranJohnsonAslin1999,EerolaToiviainenKrumhansl2002}, and also
samer@25 130 that statistical models can form an effective basis for computational
samer@25 131 analysis of music, \eg
samer@25 132 \cite{ConklinWitten95,PonsfordWigginsMellish1999,Pearce2005}.
samer@25 133
samer@25 134
samer@25 135 \comment{
samer@9 136 The business of making predictions and assessing surprise is essentially
samer@9 137 one of reasoning under conditions of uncertainty and manipulating
samer@9 138 degrees of belief about the various proposition which may or may not
samer@9 139 hold, and, as has been argued elsewhere \cite{Cox1946,Jaynes27}, best
samer@9 140 quantified in terms of Bayesian probability theory.
samer@9 141 Thus, we suppose that
samer@9 142 when we listen to music, expectations are created on the basis of our
samer@24 143 familiarity with various stylistic norms that apply to music in general,
samer@24 144 the particular style (or styles) of music that seem best to fit the piece
samer@24 145 we are listening to, and
samer@9 146 the emerging structures peculiar to the current piece. There is
samer@9 147 experimental evidence that human listeners are able to internalise
samer@9 148 statistical knowledge about musical structure, \eg
samer@9 149 \citep{SaffranJohnsonAslin1999,EerolaToiviainenKrumhansl2002}, and also
samer@9 150 that statistical models can form an effective basis for computational
samer@9 151 analysis of music, \eg
samer@9 152 \cite{ConklinWitten95,PonsfordWigginsMellish1999,Pearce2005}.
samer@25 153 }
samer@9 154
samer@56 155 % \subsection{Music and information theory}
samer@24 156 With a probabilistic framework for music modelling and prediction in hand,
samer@56 157 we are in a position to compute various
samer@25 158 \comment{
samer@25 159 which provides us with a number of measures, such as entropy
samer@25 160 and mutual information, which are suitable for quantifying states of
samer@25 161 uncertainty and surprise, and thus could potentially enable us to build
samer@25 162 quantitative models of the listening process described above. They are
samer@25 163 what Berlyne \cite{Berlyne71} called `collative variables' since they are
samer@25 164 to do with patterns of occurrence rather than medium-specific details.
samer@25 165 Berlyne sought to show that the collative variables are closely related to
samer@25 166 perceptual qualities like complexity, tension, interestingness,
samer@25 167 and even aesthetic value, not just in music, but in other temporal
samer@25 168 or visual media.
samer@25 169 The relevance of information theory to music and art has
samer@25 170 also been addressed by researchers from the 1950s onwards
samer@25 171 \cite{Youngblood58,CoonsKraehenbuehl1958,Cohen1962,HillerBean66,Moles66,Meyer67}.
samer@25 172 }
samer@9 173 information-theoretic quantities like entropy, relative entropy,
samer@9 174 and mutual information.
samer@9 175 % and are major determinants of the overall experience.
samer@9 176 Berlyne \cite{Berlyne71} called such quantities `collative variables', since
samer@9 177 they are to do with patterns of occurrence rather than medium-specific details,
samer@9 178 and developed the ideas of `information aesthetics' in an experimental setting.
samer@9 179 % Berlyne's `new experimental aesthetics', the `information-aestheticians'.
samer@9 180
samer@9 181 % Listeners then experience greater or lesser levels of surprise
samer@9 182 % in response to departures from these norms.
samer@9 183 % By careful manipulation
samer@9 184 % of the material, the composer can thus define, and induce within the
samer@9 185 % listener, a temporal programme of varying
samer@9 186 % levels of uncertainty, ambiguity and surprise.
samer@9 187
samer@9 188
samer@9 189 \subsection{Information dynamic approach}
samer@24 190 Bringing the various strands together, our working hypothesis is that as a
samer@24 191 listener (to which will refer as `it') listens to a piece of music, it maintains
samer@25 192 a dynamically evolving probabilistic model that enables it to make predictions
samer@24 193 about how the piece will continue, relying on both its previous experience
samer@24 194 of music and the immediate context of the piece. As events unfold, it revises
samer@25 195 its probabilistic belief state, which includes predictive
samer@25 196 distributions over possible future events. These
samer@25 197 % distributions and changes in distributions
samer@25 198 can be characterised in terms of a handful of information
samer@25 199 theoretic-measures such as entropy and relative entropy. By tracing the
samer@24 200 evolution of a these measures, we obtain a representation which captures much
samer@25 201 of the significant structure of the music.
samer@25 202
samer@25 203 One of the consequences of this approach is that regardless of the details of
samer@25 204 the sensory input or even which sensory modality is being processed, the resulting
samer@25 205 analysis is in terms of the same units: quantities of information (bits) and
samer@25 206 rates of information flow (bits per second). The probabilistic and information
samer@25 207 theoretic concepts in terms of which the analysis is framed are universal to all sorts
samer@25 208 of data.
samer@25 209 In addition, when adaptive probabilistic models are used, expectations are
samer@25 210 created mainly in response to to \emph{patterns} of occurence,
samer@25 211 rather the details of which specific things occur.
samer@25 212 Together, these suggest that an information dynamic analysis captures a
samer@25 213 high level of \emph{abstraction}, and could be used to
samer@25 214 make structural comparisons between different temporal media,
samer@25 215 such as music, film, animation, and dance.
samer@25 216 % analyse and compare information
samer@25 217 % flow in different temporal media regardless of whether they are auditory,
samer@25 218 % visual or otherwise.
samer@9 219
samer@25 220 Another consequence is that the information dynamic approach gives us a principled way
samer@24 221 to address the notion of \emph{subjectivity}, since the analysis is dependent on the
samer@24 222 probability model the observer starts off with, which may depend on prior experience
samer@24 223 or other factors, and which may change over time. Thus, inter-subject variablity and
samer@24 224 variation in subjects' responses over time are
samer@24 225 fundamental to the theory.
samer@9 226
samer@18 227 %modelling the creative process, which often alternates between generative
samer@18 228 %and selective or evaluative phases \cite{Boden1990}, and would have
samer@18 229 %applications in tools for computer aided composition.
samer@18 230
samer@18 231
samer@18 232 \section{Theoretical review}
samer@18 233
samer@34 234 \subsection{Entropy and information}
samer@41 235 \label{s:entro-info}
samer@41 236
samer@34 237 Let $X$ denote some variable whose value is initially unknown to our
samer@34 238 hypothetical observer. We will treat $X$ mathematically as a random variable,
samer@36 239 with a value to be drawn from some set $\X$ and a
samer@34 240 probability distribution representing the observer's beliefs about the
samer@34 241 true value of $X$.
samer@34 242 In this case, the observer's uncertainty about $X$ can be quantified
samer@34 243 as the entropy of the random variable $H(X)$. For a discrete variable
samer@36 244 with probability mass function $p:\X \to [0,1]$, this is
samer@34 245 \begin{equation}
samer@41 246 H(X) = \sum_{x\in\X} -p(x) \log p(x), % = \expect{-\log p(X)},
samer@34 247 \end{equation}
samer@41 248 % where $\expect{}$ is the expectation operator.
samer@41 249 The negative-log-probability
samer@34 250 $\ell(x) = -\log p(x)$ of a particular value $x$ can usefully be thought of as
samer@34 251 the \emph{surprisingness} of the value $x$ should it be observed, and
samer@41 252 hence the entropy is the expectation of the surprisingness $\expect \ell(X)$.
samer@34 253
samer@34 254 Now suppose that the observer receives some new data $\Data$ that
samer@34 255 causes a revision of its beliefs about $X$. The \emph{information}
samer@34 256 in this new data \emph{about} $X$ can be quantified as the
samer@34 257 Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence between the prior and posterior
samer@34 258 distributions $p(x)$ and $p(x|\Data)$ respectively:
samer@34 259 \begin{equation}
samer@34 260 \mathcal{I}_{\Data\to X} = D(p_{X|\Data} || p_{X})
samer@36 261 = \sum_{x\in\X} p(x|\Data) \log \frac{p(x|\Data)}{p(x)}.
samer@41 262 \label{eq:info}
samer@34 263 \end{equation}
samer@34 264 When there are multiple variables $X_1, X_2$
samer@34 265 \etc which the observer believes to be dependent, then the observation of
samer@34 266 one may change its beliefs and hence yield information about the
samer@34 267 others. The joint and conditional entropies as described in any
samer@34 268 textbook on information theory (\eg \cite{CoverThomas}) then quantify
samer@34 269 the observer's expected uncertainty about groups of variables given the
samer@34 270 values of others. In particular, the \emph{mutual information}
samer@34 271 $I(X_1;X_2)$ is both the expected information
samer@34 272 in an observation of $X_2$ about $X_1$ and the expected reduction
samer@34 273 in uncertainty about $X_1$ after observing $X_2$:
samer@34 274 \begin{equation}
samer@34 275 I(X_1;X_2) = H(X_1) - H(X_1|X_2),
samer@34 276 \end{equation}
samer@34 277 where $H(X_1|X_2) = H(X_1,X_2) - H(X_2)$ is the conditional entropy
samer@34 278 of $X_2$ given $X_1$. A little algebra shows that $I(X_1;X_2)=I(X_2;X_1)$
samer@34 279 and so the mutual information is symmetric in its arguments. A conditional
samer@34 280 form of the mutual information can be formulated analogously:
samer@34 281 \begin{equation}
samer@34 282 I(X_1;X_2|X_3) = H(X_1|X_3) - H(X_1|X_2,X_3).
samer@34 283 \end{equation}
samer@34 284 These relationships between the various entropies and mutual
samer@34 285 informations are conveniently visualised in Venn diagram-like \emph{information diagrams}
samer@34 286 or I-diagrams \cite{Yeung1991} such as the one in \figrf{venn-example}.
samer@34 287
samer@18 288 \begin{fig}{venn-example}
samer@18 289 \newcommand\rad{2.2em}%
samer@18 290 \newcommand\circo{circle (3.4em)}%
samer@18 291 \newcommand\labrad{4.3em}
samer@18 292 \newcommand\bound{(-6em,-5em) rectangle (6em,6em)}
samer@18 293 \newcommand\colsep{\ }
samer@18 294 \newcommand\clipin[1]{\clip (#1) \circo;}%
samer@18 295 \newcommand\clipout[1]{\clip \bound (#1) \circo;}%
samer@18 296 \newcommand\cliptwo[3]{%
samer@18 297 \begin{scope}
samer@18 298 \clipin{#1};
samer@18 299 \clipin{#2};
samer@18 300 \clipout{#3};
samer@18 301 \fill[black!30] \bound;
samer@18 302 \end{scope}
samer@18 303 }%
samer@18 304 \newcommand\clipone[3]{%
samer@18 305 \begin{scope}
samer@18 306 \clipin{#1};
samer@18 307 \clipout{#2};
samer@18 308 \clipout{#3};
samer@18 309 \fill[black!15] \bound;
samer@18 310 \end{scope}
samer@18 311 }%
samer@18 312 \begin{tabular}{c@{\colsep}c}
samer@18 313 \begin{tikzpicture}[baseline=0pt]
samer@18 314 \coordinate (p1) at (90:\rad);
samer@18 315 \coordinate (p2) at (210:\rad);
samer@18 316 \coordinate (p3) at (-30:\rad);
samer@18 317 \clipone{p1}{p2}{p3};
samer@18 318 \clipone{p2}{p3}{p1};
samer@18 319 \clipone{p3}{p1}{p2};
samer@18 320 \cliptwo{p1}{p2}{p3};
samer@18 321 \cliptwo{p2}{p3}{p1};
samer@18 322 \cliptwo{p3}{p1}{p2};
samer@18 323 \begin{scope}
samer@18 324 \clip (p1) \circo;
samer@18 325 \clip (p2) \circo;
samer@18 326 \clip (p3) \circo;
samer@18 327 \fill[black!45] \bound;
samer@18 328 \end{scope}
samer@18 329 \draw (p1) \circo;
samer@18 330 \draw (p2) \circo;
samer@18 331 \draw (p3) \circo;
samer@18 332 \path
samer@18 333 (barycentric cs:p3=1,p1=-0.2,p2=-0.1) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{3|12}$}
samer@18 334 (barycentric cs:p1=1,p2=-0.2,p3=-0.1) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{1|23}$}
samer@18 335 (barycentric cs:p2=1,p3=-0.2,p1=-0.1) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{2|13}$}
samer@18 336 (barycentric cs:p3=1,p2=1,p1=-0.55) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{23|1}$}
samer@18 337 (barycentric cs:p1=1,p3=1,p2=-0.55) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{13|2}$}
samer@18 338 (barycentric cs:p2=1,p1=1,p3=-0.55) +(0ex,0) node {$I_{12|3}$}
samer@18 339 (barycentric cs:p3=1,p2=1,p1=1) node {$I_{123}$}
samer@18 340 ;
samer@18 341 \path
samer@18 342 (p1) +(140:\labrad) node {$X_1$}
samer@18 343 (p2) +(-140:\labrad) node {$X_2$}
samer@18 344 (p3) +(-40:\labrad) node {$X_3$};
samer@18 345 \end{tikzpicture}
samer@18 346 &
samer@18 347 \parbox{0.5\linewidth}{
samer@18 348 \small
samer@18 349 \begin{align*}
samer@18 350 I_{1|23} &= H(X_1|X_2,X_3) \\
samer@18 351 I_{13|2} &= I(X_1;X_3|X_2) \\
samer@18 352 I_{1|23} + I_{13|2} &= H(X_1|X_2) \\
samer@18 353 I_{12|3} + I_{123} &= I(X_1;X_2)
samer@18 354 \end{align*}
samer@18 355 }
samer@18 356 \end{tabular}
samer@18 357 \caption{
samer@30 358 I-diagram visualisation of entropies and mutual informations
samer@18 359 for three random variables $X_1$, $X_2$ and $X_3$. The areas of
samer@18 360 the three circles represent $H(X_1)$, $H(X_2)$ and $H(X_3)$ respectively.
samer@18 361 The total shaded area is the joint entropy $H(X_1,X_2,X_3)$.
samer@18 362 The central area $I_{123}$ is the co-information \cite{McGill1954}.
samer@18 363 Some other information measures are indicated in the legend.
samer@18 364 }
samer@18 365 \end{fig}
samer@30 366
samer@30 367
samer@36 368 \subsection{Surprise and information in sequences}
samer@36 369 \label{s:surprise-info-seq}
samer@30 370
samer@36 371 Suppose that $(\ldots,X_{-1},X_0,X_1,\ldots)$ is a sequence of
samer@30 372 random variables, infinite in both directions,
samer@36 373 and that $\mu$ is the associated probability measure over all
samer@36 374 realisations of the sequence---in the following, $\mu$ will simply serve
samer@30 375 as a label for the process. We can indentify a number of information-theoretic
samer@30 376 measures meaningful in the context of a sequential observation of the sequence, during
samer@36 377 which, at any time $t$, the sequence of variables can be divided into a `present' $X_t$, a `past'
samer@30 378 $\past{X}_t \equiv (\ldots, X_{t-2}, X_{t-1})$, and a `future'
samer@30 379 $\fut{X}_t \equiv (X_{t+1},X_{t+2},\ldots)$.
samer@41 380 We will write the actually observed value of $X_t$ as $x_t$, and
samer@36 381 the sequence of observations up to but not including $x_t$ as
samer@36 382 $\past{x}_t$.
samer@36 383 % Since the sequence is assumed stationary, we can without loss of generality,
samer@36 384 % assume that $t=0$ in the following definitions.
samer@36 385
samer@41 386 The in-context surprisingness of the observation $X_t=x_t$ depends on
samer@41 387 both $x_t$ and the context $\past{x}_t$:
samer@36 388 \begin{equation}
samer@41 389 \ell_t = - \log p(x_t|\past{x}_t).
samer@36 390 \end{equation}
samer@36 391 However, before $X_t$ is observed to be $x_t$, the observer can compute
samer@46 392 the \emph{expected} surprisingness as a measure of its uncertainty about
samer@36 393 the very next event; this may be written as an entropy
samer@36 394 $H(X_t|\ev(\past{X}_t = \past{x}_t))$, but note that this is
samer@36 395 conditional on the \emph{event} $\ev(\past{X}_t=\past{x}_t)$, not
samer@36 396 \emph{variables} $\past{X}_t$ as in the conventional conditional entropy.
samer@36 397
samer@41 398 The surprisingness $\ell_t$ and expected surprisingness
samer@36 399 $H(X_t|\ev(\past{X}_t=\past{x}_t))$
samer@41 400 can be understood as \emph{subjective} information dynamic measures, since they are
samer@41 401 based on the observer's probability model in the context of the actually observed sequence
samer@36 402 $\past{x}_t$---they characterise what it is like to `be in the observer's shoes'.
samer@36 403 If we view the observer as a purely passive or reactive agent, this would
samer@36 404 probably be sufficient, but for active agents such as humans or animals, it is
samer@36 405 often necessary to \emph{aniticipate} future events in order, for example, to plan the
samer@36 406 most effective course of action. It makes sense for such observers to be
samer@36 407 concerned about the predictive probability distribution over future events,
samer@36 408 $p(\fut{x}_t|\past{x}_t)$. When an observation $\ev(X_t=x_t)$ is made in this context,
samer@41 409 the \emph{instantaneous predictive information} (IPI) $\mathcal{I}_t$ at time $t$
samer@41 410 is the information in the event $\ev(X_t=x_t)$ about the entire future of the sequence $\fut{X}_t$,
samer@41 411 \emph{given} the observed past $\past{X}_t=\past{x}_t$.
samer@41 412 Referring to the definition of information \eqrf{info}, this is the KL divergence
samer@41 413 between prior and posterior distributions over possible futures, which written out in full, is
samer@41 414 \begin{equation}
samer@41 415 \mathcal{I}_t = \sum_{\fut{x}_t \in \X^*}
samer@41 416 p(\fut{x}_t|x_t,\past{x}_t) \log \frac{ p(\fut{x}_t|x_t,\past{x}_t) }{ p(\fut{x}_t|\past{x}_t) },
samer@41 417 \end{equation}
samer@41 418 where the sum is to be taken over the set of infinite sequences $\X^*$.
samer@46 419 Note that it is quite possible for an event to be surprising but not informative
samer@46 420 in predictive sense.
samer@41 421 As with the surprisingness, the observer can compute its \emph{expected} IPI
samer@41 422 at time $t$, which reduces to a mutual information $I(X_t;\fut{X}_t|\ev(\past{X}_t=\past{x}_t))$
samer@41 423 conditioned on the observed past. This could be used, for example, as an estimate
samer@41 424 of attentional resources which should be directed at this stream of data, which may
samer@41 425 be in competition with other sensory streams.
samer@36 426
samer@36 427 \subsection{Information measures for stationary random processes}
samer@43 428 \label{s:process-info}
samer@30 429
samer@18 430
samer@18 431 \begin{fig}{predinfo-bg}
samer@18 432 \newcommand\subfig[2]{\shortstack{#2\\[0.75em]#1}}
samer@18 433 \newcommand\rad{1.8em}%
samer@18 434 \newcommand\ovoid[1]{%
samer@18 435 ++(-#1,\rad)
samer@18 436 -- ++(2 * #1,0em) arc (90:-90:\rad)
samer@18 437 -- ++(-2 * #1,0em) arc (270:90:\rad)
samer@18 438 }%
samer@18 439 \newcommand\axis{2.75em}%
samer@18 440 \newcommand\olap{0.85em}%
samer@18 441 \newcommand\offs{3.6em}
samer@18 442 \newcommand\colsep{\hspace{5em}}
samer@18 443 \newcommand\longblob{\ovoid{\axis}}
samer@18 444 \newcommand\shortblob{\ovoid{1.75em}}
samer@56 445 \begin{tabular}{c}
samer@43 446 \subfig{(a) multi-information and entropy rates}{%
samer@43 447 \begin{tikzpicture}%[baseline=-1em]
samer@43 448 \newcommand\rc{1.75em}
samer@43 449 \newcommand\throw{2.5em}
samer@43 450 \coordinate (p1) at (180:1.5em);
samer@43 451 \coordinate (p2) at (0:0.3em);
samer@43 452 \newcommand\bound{(-7em,-2.6em) rectangle (7em,3.0em)}
samer@43 453 \newcommand\present{(p2) circle (\rc)}
samer@43 454 \newcommand\thepast{(p1) ++(-\throw,0) \ovoid{\throw}}
samer@43 455 \newcommand\fillclipped[2]{%
samer@43 456 \begin{scope}[even odd rule]
samer@43 457 \foreach \thing in {#2} {\clip \thing;}
samer@43 458 \fill[black!#1] \bound;
samer@43 459 \end{scope}%
samer@43 460 }%
samer@43 461 \fillclipped{30}{\present,\bound \thepast}
samer@43 462 \fillclipped{15}{\present,\bound \thepast}
samer@43 463 \fillclipped{45}{\present,\thepast}
samer@43 464 \draw \thepast;
samer@43 465 \draw \present;
samer@43 466 \node at (barycentric cs:p2=1,p1=-0.3) {$h_\mu$};
samer@43 467 \node at (barycentric cs:p2=1,p1=1) [shape=rectangle,fill=black!45,inner sep=1pt]{$\rho_\mu$};
samer@43 468 \path (p2) +(90:3em) node {$X_0$};
samer@43 469 \path (p1) +(-3em,0em) node {\shortstack{infinite\\past}};
samer@43 470 \path (p1) +(-4em,\rad) node [anchor=south] {$\ldots,X_{-1}$};
samer@43 471 \end{tikzpicture}}%
samer@43 472 \\[1.25em]
samer@43 473 \subfig{(b) excess entropy}{%
samer@18 474 \newcommand\blob{\longblob}
samer@18 475 \begin{tikzpicture}
samer@18 476 \coordinate (p1) at (-\offs,0em);
samer@18 477 \coordinate (p2) at (\offs,0em);
samer@18 478 \begin{scope}
samer@18 479 \clip (p1) \blob;
samer@18 480 \clip (p2) \blob;
samer@18 481 \fill[lightgray] (-1,-1) rectangle (1,1);
samer@18 482 \end{scope}
samer@18 483 \draw (p1) +(-0.5em,0em) node{\shortstack{infinite\\past}} \blob;
samer@18 484 \draw (p2) +(0.5em,0em) node{\shortstack{infinite\\future}} \blob;
samer@18 485 \path (0,0) node (future) {$E$};
samer@18 486 \path (p1) +(-2em,\rad) node [anchor=south] {$\ldots,X_{-1}$};
samer@18 487 \path (p2) +(2em,\rad) node [anchor=south] {$X_0,\ldots$};
samer@18 488 \end{tikzpicture}%
samer@18 489 }%
samer@18 490 \\[1.25em]
samer@43 491 \subfig{(c) predictive information rate $b_\mu$}{%
samer@18 492 \begin{tikzpicture}%[baseline=-1em]
samer@18 493 \newcommand\rc{2.1em}
samer@18 494 \newcommand\throw{2.5em}
samer@18 495 \coordinate (p1) at (210:1.5em);
samer@18 496 \coordinate (p2) at (90:0.7em);
samer@18 497 \coordinate (p3) at (-30:1.5em);
samer@18 498 \newcommand\bound{(-7em,-2.6em) rectangle (7em,3.0em)}
samer@18 499 \newcommand\present{(p2) circle (\rc)}
samer@18 500 \newcommand\thepast{(p1) ++(-\throw,0) \ovoid{\throw}}
samer@18 501 \newcommand\future{(p3) ++(\throw,0) \ovoid{\throw}}
samer@18 502 \newcommand\fillclipped[2]{%
samer@18 503 \begin{scope}[even odd rule]
samer@18 504 \foreach \thing in {#2} {\clip \thing;}
samer@18 505 \fill[black!#1] \bound;
samer@18 506 \end{scope}%
samer@18 507 }%
samer@43 508 \fillclipped{80}{\future,\thepast}
samer@18 509 \fillclipped{30}{\present,\future,\bound \thepast}
samer@18 510 \fillclipped{15}{\present,\bound \future,\bound \thepast}
samer@18 511 \draw \future;
samer@18 512 \fillclipped{45}{\present,\thepast}
samer@18 513 \draw \thepast;
samer@18 514 \draw \present;
samer@18 515 \node at (barycentric cs:p2=1,p1=-0.17,p3=-0.17) {$r_\mu$};
samer@18 516 \node at (barycentric cs:p1=-0.4,p2=1.0,p3=1) {$b_\mu$};
samer@18 517 \node at (barycentric cs:p3=0,p2=1,p1=1.2) [shape=rectangle,fill=black!45,inner sep=1pt]{$\rho_\mu$};
samer@18 518 \path (p2) +(140:3em) node {$X_0$};
samer@18 519 % \node at (barycentric cs:p3=0,p2=1,p1=1) {$\rho_\mu$};
samer@18 520 \path (p3) +(3em,0em) node {\shortstack{infinite\\future}};
samer@18 521 \path (p1) +(-3em,0em) node {\shortstack{infinite\\past}};
samer@18 522 \path (p1) +(-4em,\rad) node [anchor=south] {$\ldots,X_{-1}$};
samer@18 523 \path (p3) +(4em,\rad) node [anchor=south] {$X_1,\ldots$};
samer@18 524 \end{tikzpicture}}%
samer@18 525 \\[0.5em]
samer@18 526 \end{tabular}
samer@18 527 \caption{
samer@30 528 I-diagrams for several information measures in
samer@18 529 stationary random processes. Each circle or oval represents a random
samer@18 530 variable or sequence of random variables relative to time $t=0$. Overlapped areas
samer@18 531 correspond to various mutual information as in \Figrf{venn-example}.
samer@33 532 In (b), the circle represents the `present'. Its total area is
samer@33 533 $H(X_0)=\rho_\mu+r_\mu+b_\mu$, where $\rho_\mu$ is the multi-information
samer@18 534 rate, $r_\mu$ is the residual entropy rate, and $b_\mu$ is the predictive
samer@43 535 information rate. The entropy rate is $h_\mu = r_\mu+b_\mu$. The small dark
samer@43 536 region below $X_0$ in (c) is $\sigma_\mu = E-\rho_\mu$.
samer@18 537 }
samer@18 538 \end{fig}
samer@18 539
samer@41 540 If we step back, out of the observer's shoes as it were, and consider the
samer@41 541 random process $(\ldots,X_{-1},X_0,X_1,\dots)$ as a statistical ensemble of
samer@41 542 possible realisations, and furthermore assume that it is stationary,
samer@41 543 then it becomes possible to define a number of information-theoretic measures,
samer@41 544 closely related to those described above, but which characterise the
samer@41 545 process as a whole, rather than on a moment-by-moment basis. Some of these,
samer@41 546 such as the entropy rate, are well-known, but others are only recently being
samer@41 547 investigated. (In the following, the assumption of stationarity means that
samer@41 548 the measures defined below are independent of $t$.)
samer@41 549
samer@41 550 The \emph{entropy rate} of the process is the entropy of the next variable
samer@41 551 $X_t$ given all the previous ones.
samer@41 552 \begin{equation}
samer@41 553 \label{eq:entro-rate}
samer@41 554 h_\mu = H(X_t|\past{X}_t).
samer@41 555 \end{equation}
samer@51 556 The entropy rate is a measure of the overall surprisingness
samer@51 557 or unpredictability of the process, and gives an indication of the average
samer@51 558 level of surprise and uncertainty that would be experienced by an observer
samer@51 559 processing a sequence sampled from the process using the methods of
samer@51 560 \secrf{surprise-info-seq}.
samer@41 561
samer@41 562 The \emph{multi-information rate} $\rho_\mu$ (following Dubnov's \cite{Dubnov2006}
samer@41 563 notation for what he called the `information rate') is the mutual
samer@41 564 information between the `past' and the `present':
samer@41 565 \begin{equation}
samer@41 566 \label{eq:multi-info}
samer@41 567 \rho_\mu = I(\past{X}_t;X_t) = H(X_t) - h_\mu.
samer@41 568 \end{equation}
samer@41 569 It is a measure of how much the context of an observation (that is,
samer@41 570 the observation of previous elements of the sequence) helps in predicting
samer@41 571 or reducing the suprisingness of the current observation.
samer@41 572
samer@41 573 The \emph{excess entropy} \cite{CrutchfieldPackard1983}
samer@41 574 is the mutual information between
samer@41 575 the entire `past' and the entire `future':
samer@41 576 \begin{equation}
samer@41 577 E = I(\past{X}_t; X_t,\fut{X}_t).
samer@41 578 \end{equation}
samer@43 579 Both the excess entropy and the multi-information rate can be thought
samer@43 580 of as measures of \emph{redundancy}, quantifying the extent to which
samer@43 581 the same information is to be found in all parts of the sequence.
samer@41 582
samer@41 583
samer@30 584 The \emph{predictive information rate} (or PIR) \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2009}
samer@46 585 is the mutual information between the present and the infinite future given the infinite
samer@46 586 past:
samer@18 587 \begin{equation}
samer@18 588 \label{eq:PIR}
samer@41 589 b_\mu = I(X_t;\fut{X}_t|\past{X}_t) = H(\fut{X}_t|\past{X}_t) - H(\fut{X}_t|X_t,\past{X}_t).
samer@18 590 \end{equation}
samer@18 591 Equation \eqrf{PIR} can be read as the average reduction
samer@18 592 in uncertainty about the future on learning $X_t$, given the past.
samer@18 593 Due to the symmetry of the mutual information, it can also be written
samer@18 594 as
samer@18 595 \begin{equation}
samer@18 596 % \IXZ_t
samer@43 597 b_\mu = H(X_t|\past{X}_t) - H(X_t|\past{X}_t,\fut{X}_t) = h_\mu - r_\mu,
samer@18 598 % \label{<++>}
samer@18 599 \end{equation}
samer@18 600 % If $X$ is stationary, then
samer@41 601 where $r_\mu = H(X_t|\fut{X}_t,\past{X}_t)$,
samer@34 602 is the \emph{residual} \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2010},
samer@34 603 or \emph{erasure} \cite{VerduWeissman2006} entropy rate.
samer@18 604 These relationships are illustrated in \Figrf{predinfo-bg}, along with
samer@18 605 several of the information measures we have discussed so far.
samer@51 606 The PIR gives an indication of the average IPI that would be experienced
samer@51 607 by an observer processing a sequence sampled from this process.
samer@18 608
samer@18 609
samer@46 610 James et al \cite{JamesEllisonCrutchfield2011} review several of these
samer@46 611 information measures and introduce some new related ones.
samer@46 612 In particular they identify the $\sigma_\mu = I(\past{X}_t;\fut{X}_t|X_t)$,
samer@46 613 the mutual information between the past and the future given the present,
samer@46 614 as an interesting quantity that measures the predictive benefit of
samer@25 615 model-building (that is, maintaining an internal state summarising past
samer@46 616 observations in order to make better predictions). It is shown as the
samer@46 617 small dark region below the circle in \figrf{predinfo-bg}(c).
samer@46 618 By comparing with \figrf{predinfo-bg}(b), we can see that
samer@46 619 $\sigma_\mu = E - \rho_\mu$.
samer@43 620 % They also identify
samer@43 621 % $w_\mu = \rho_\mu + b_{\mu}$, which they call the \emph{local exogenous
samer@43 622 % information} rate.
samer@34 623
samer@4 624
samer@36 625 \subsection{First and higher order Markov chains}
samer@53 626 \label{s:markov}
samer@36 627 First order Markov chains are the simplest non-trivial models to which information
samer@36 628 dynamics methods can be applied. In \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2009} we derived
samer@41 629 expressions for all the information measures described in \secrf{surprise-info-seq} for
samer@36 630 irreducible stationary Markov chains (\ie that have a unique stationary
samer@36 631 distribution). The derivation is greatly simplified by the dependency structure
samer@36 632 of the Markov chain: for the purpose of the analysis, the `past' and `future'
samer@41 633 segments $\past{X}_t$ and $\fut{X}_t$ can be collapsed to just the previous
samer@46 634 and next variables $X_{t-1}$ and $X_{t+1}$ respectively. We also showed that
samer@36 635 the predictive information rate can be expressed simply in terms of entropy rates:
samer@36 636 if we let $a$ denote the $K\times K$ transition matrix of a Markov chain over
samer@36 637 an alphabet of $\{1,\ldots,K\}$, such that
samer@36 638 $a_{ij} = \Pr(\ev(X_t=i|X_{t-1}=j))$, and let $h:\reals^{K\times K}\to \reals$ be
samer@36 639 the entropy rate function such that $h(a)$ is the entropy rate of a Markov chain
samer@36 640 with transition matrix $a$, then the predictive information rate $b(a)$ is
samer@36 641 \begin{equation}
samer@36 642 b(a) = h(a^2) - h(a),
samer@36 643 \end{equation}
samer@36 644 where $a^2$, the transition matrix squared, is the transition matrix
samer@36 645 of the `skip one' Markov chain obtained by jumping two steps at a time
samer@36 646 along the original chain.
samer@36 647
samer@36 648 Second and higher order Markov chains can be treated in a similar way by transforming
samer@36 649 to a first order representation of the high order Markov chain. If we are dealing
samer@36 650 with an $N$th order model, this is done forming a new alphabet of size $K^N$
samer@41 651 consisting of all possible $N$-tuples of symbols from the base alphabet.
samer@41 652 An observation $\hat{x}_t$ in this new model encodes a block of $N$ observations
samer@36 653 $(x_{t+1},\ldots,x_{t+N})$ from the base model. The next
samer@41 654 observation $\hat{x}_{t+1}$ encodes the block of $N$ obtained by shifting the previous
samer@36 655 block along by one step. The new Markov of chain is parameterised by a sparse $K^N\times K^N$
samer@41 656 transition matrix $\hat{a}$. Adopting the label $\mu$ for the order $N$ system,
samer@41 657 we obtain:
samer@36 658 \begin{equation}
samer@41 659 h_\mu = h(\hat{a}), \qquad b_\mu = h({\hat{a}^{N+1}}) - N h({\hat{a}}),
samer@36 660 \end{equation}
samer@36 661 where $\hat{a}^{N+1}$ is the $(N+1)$th power of the first order transition matrix.
samer@41 662 Other information measures can also be computed for the high-order Markov chain, including
samer@41 663 the multi-information rate $\rho_\mu$ and the excess entropy $E$. These are identical
samer@41 664 for first order Markov chains, but for order $N$ chains, $E$ can be up to $N$ times larger
samer@41 665 than $\rho_\mu$.
samer@43 666
samer@43 667 [Something about what kinds of Markov chain maximise $h_\mu$ (uncorrelated `white'
samer@43 668 sequences, no temporal structure), $\rho_\mu$ and $E$ (periodic) and $b_\mu$. We return
samer@43 669 this in \secrf{composition}.]
samer@36 670
samer@36 671
hekeus@16 672 \section{Information Dynamics in Analysis}
samer@4 673
samer@24 674 \begin{fig}{twopages}
samer@33 675 \colfig[0.96]{matbase/fig9471} % update from mbc paper
samer@33 676 % \colfig[0.97]{matbase/fig72663}\\ % later update from mbc paper (Keith's new picks)
samer@24 677 \vspace*{1em}
samer@24 678 \colfig[0.97]{matbase/fig13377} % rule based analysis
samer@24 679 \caption{Analysis of \emph{Two Pages}.
samer@24 680 The thick vertical lines are the part boundaries as indicated in
samer@24 681 the score by the composer.
samer@24 682 The thin grey lines
samer@24 683 indicate changes in the melodic `figures' of which the piece is
samer@24 684 constructed. In the `model information rate' panel, the black asterisks
samer@24 685 mark the
samer@24 686 six most surprising moments selected by Keith Potter.
samer@24 687 The bottom panel shows a rule-based boundary strength analysis computed
samer@24 688 using Cambouropoulos' LBDM.
samer@24 689 All information measures are in nats and time is in notes.
samer@24 690 }
samer@24 691 \end{fig}
samer@24 692
samer@36 693 \subsection{Musicological Analysis}
samer@36 694 In \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2009}, methods based on the theory described above
samer@36 695 were used to analysis two pieces of music in the minimalist style
samer@36 696 by Philip Glass: \emph{Two Pages} (1969) and \emph{Gradus} (1968).
samer@36 697 The analysis was done using a first-order Markov chain model, with the
samer@36 698 enhancement that the transition matrix of the model was allowed to
samer@36 699 evolve dynamically as the notes were processed, and was tracked (in
samer@36 700 a Bayesian way) as a \emph{distribution} over possible transition matrices,
samer@36 701 rather than a point estimate. The results are summarised in \figrf{twopages}:
samer@36 702 the upper four plots show the dynamically evolving subjective information
samer@36 703 measures as described in \secrf{surprise-info-seq} computed using a point
samer@36 704 estimate of the current transition matrix, but the fifth plot (the `model information rate')
samer@36 705 measures the information in each observation about the transition matrix.
samer@36 706 In \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2010b}, we showed that this `model information rate'
samer@36 707 is actually a component of the true IPI in
samer@36 708 a time-varying Markov chain, which was neglected when we computed the IPI from
samer@36 709 point estimates of the transition matrix as if the transition probabilities
samer@36 710 were constant.
samer@36 711
samer@36 712 The peaks of the surprisingness and both components of the predictive information
samer@36 713 show good correspondence with structure of the piece both as marked in the score
samer@36 714 and as analysed by musicologist Keith Potter, who was asked to mark the six
samer@36 715 `most surprising moments' of the piece (shown as asterisks in the fifth plot)%
samer@36 716 \footnote{%
samer@36 717 Note that the boundary marked in the score at around note 5,400 is known to be
samer@36 718 anomalous; on the basis of a listening analysis, some musicologists [ref] have
samer@36 719 placed the boundary a few bars later, in agreement with our analysis.}.
samer@36 720
samer@36 721 In contrast, the analyses shown in the lower two plots of \figrf{twopages},
samer@36 722 obtained using two rule-based music segmentation algorithms, while clearly
samer@37 723 \emph{reflecting} the structure of the piece, do not \emph{segment} the piece,
samer@37 724 with no tendency to peaking of the boundary strength function at
samer@36 725 the boundaries in the piece.
samer@36 726
samer@46 727 The complete analysis of \emph{Gradus} can be found in \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2009},
samer@46 728 but \figrf{metre} illustrates the result of a metrical analysis: the piece was divided
samer@46 729 into bars of 32, 64 and 128 notes. In each case, the average surprisingness and
samer@46 730 IPI for the first, second, third \etc notes in each bar were computed. The plots
samer@46 731 show that the first note of each bar is, on average, significantly more surprising
samer@46 732 and informative than the others, up to the 64-note level, where as at the 128-note,
samer@46 733 level, the dominant periodicity appears to remain at 64 notes.
samer@36 734
samer@24 735 \begin{fig}{metre}
samer@33 736 % \scalebox{1}[1]{%
samer@24 737 \begin{tabular}{cc}
samer@33 738 \colfig[0.45]{matbase/fig36859} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig88658} \\
samer@33 739 \colfig[0.45]{matbase/fig48061} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig46367} \\
samer@33 740 \colfig[0.45]{matbase/fig99042} & \colfig[0.47]{matbase/fig87490}
samer@24 741 % \colfig[0.46]{matbase/fig56807} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig27144} \\
samer@24 742 % \colfig[0.46]{matbase/fig87574} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig13651} \\
samer@24 743 % \colfig[0.44]{matbase/fig19913} & \colfig[0.46]{matbase/fig66144} \\
samer@24 744 % \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig73098} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig57141} \\
samer@24 745 % \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig25703} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig72080} \\
samer@24 746 % \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig9142} & \colfig[0.48]{matbase/fig27751}
samer@24 747
samer@24 748 \end{tabular}%
samer@33 749 % }
samer@24 750 \caption{Metrical analysis by computing average surprisingness and
samer@24 751 informative of notes at different periodicities (\ie hypothetical
samer@24 752 bar lengths) and phases (\ie positions within a bar).
samer@24 753 }
samer@24 754 \end{fig}
samer@24 755
samer@46 756 \subsection{Content analysis/Sound Categorisation}
samer@42 757 Using analogous definitions of differential entropy, the methods outlined
samer@42 758 in the previous section are equally applicable to continuous random variables.
samer@42 759 In the case of music, where expressive properties such as dynamics, tempo,
samer@42 760 timing and timbre are readily quantified on a continuous scale, the information
samer@42 761 dynamic framework thus may also be considered.
peterf@39 762
samer@42 763 In \cite{Dubnov2006}, Dubnov considers the class of stationary Gaussian
samer@42 764 processes. For such processes, the entropy rate may be obtained analytically
samer@42 765 from the power spectral density of the signal, allowing the multi-information
samer@42 766 rate to be subsequently obtained. Local stationarity is assumed, which may
samer@42 767 be achieved by windowing or change point detection \cite{Dubnov2008}. %TODO
samer@42 768 mention non-gaussian processes extension Similarly, the predictive information
samer@42 769 rate may be computed using a Gaussian linear formulation CITE. In this view,
samer@42 770 the PIR is a function of the correlation between random innovations supplied
samer@42 771 to the stochastic process. %Dubnov, MacAdams, Reynolds (2006) %Bailes and
samer@42 772 Dean (2009)
peterf@39 773
samer@51 774 [ Continuous domain information ]
samer@51 775 [Audio based music expectation modelling]
samer@51 776 [ Gaussian processes]
peterf@26 777
samer@4 778
samer@4 779 \subsection{Beat Tracking}
samer@4 780
samer@43 781 A probabilistic method for drum tracking was presented by Robertson
samer@43 782 \cite{Robertson11c}. The algorithm is used to synchronise a music
samer@43 783 sequencer to a live drummer. The expected beat time of the sequencer is
samer@43 784 represented by a click track, and the algorithm takes as input event
samer@43 785 times for discrete kick and snare drum events relative to this click
samer@43 786 track. These are obtained using dedicated microphones for each drum and
samer@43 787 using a percussive onset detector (Puckette 1998). The drum tracker
samer@43 788 continually updates distributions for tempo and phase on receiving a new
samer@43 789 event time. We can thus quantify the information contributed of an event
samer@43 790 by measuring the difference between the system's prior distribution and
samer@43 791 the posterior distribution using the Kullback-Leiber divergence.
samer@43 792
samer@43 793 Here, we have calculated the KL divergence and entropy for kick and
samer@43 794 snare events in sixteen files. The analysis of information rates can be
samer@43 795 considered \emph{subjective}, in that it measures how the drum tracker's
samer@43 796 probability distributions change, and these are contingent upon the
samer@43 797 model used as well as external properties in the signal. We expect,
samer@43 798 however, that following periods of increased uncertainty, such as fills
samer@43 799 or expressive timing, the information contained in an individual event
samer@43 800 increases. We also examine whether the information is dependent upon
samer@43 801 metrical position.
samer@43 802
samer@4 803
samer@24 804 \section{Information dynamics as compositional aid}
samer@43 805 \label{s:composition}
samer@43 806
samer@53 807 The use of stochastic processes in music composition has been widespread for
samer@53 808 decades---for instance Iannis Xenakis applied probabilistic mathematical models
samer@53 809 to the creation of musical materials\cite{Xenakis:1992ul}. While such processes
samer@53 810 can drive the \emph{generative} phase of the creative process, information dynamics
samer@53 811 can serve as a novel framework for a \emph{selective} phase, by
samer@53 812 providing a set of criteria to be used in judging which of the
samer@53 813 generated materials
samer@53 814 are of value. This alternation of generative and selective phases as been
samer@53 815 noted by art theorist Margaret Boden \cite{Boden1990}.
samer@53 816
samer@53 817 Information-dynamic criteria can also be used as \emph{constraints} on the
samer@53 818 generative processes, for example, by specifying a certain temporal profile
samer@53 819 of suprisingness and uncertainty the composer wishes to induce in the listener
samer@53 820 as the piece unfolds.
samer@53 821 %stochastic and algorithmic processes: ; outputs can be filtered to match a set of
samer@53 822 %criteria defined in terms of information-dynamical characteristics, such as
samer@53 823 %predictability vs unpredictability
samer@53 824 %s model, this criteria thus becoming a means of interfacing with the generative processes.
samer@53 825
samer@53 826 The tools of information dynamics provide a way to constrain and select musical
samer@53 827 materials at the level of patterns of expectation, implication, uncertainty, and predictability.
samer@53 828 In particular, the behaviour of the predictive information rate (PIR) defined in
samer@53 829 \secrf{process-info} make it interesting from a compositional point of view. The definition
samer@53 830 of the PIR is such that it is low both for extremely regular processes, such as constant
samer@53 831 or periodic sequences, \emph{and} low for extremely random processes, where each symbol
samer@53 832 is chosen independently of the others, in a kind of `white noise'. In the former case,
samer@53 833 the pattern, once established, is completely predictable and therefore there is no
samer@53 834 \emph{new} information in subsequent observations. In the latter case, the randomness
samer@53 835 and independence of all elements of the sequence means that, though potentially surprising,
samer@53 836 each observation carries no information about the ones to come.
samer@53 837
samer@53 838 Processes with high PIR maintain a certain kind of balance between
samer@53 839 predictability and unpredictability in such a way that the observer must continually
samer@53 840 pay attention to each new observation as it occurs in order to make the best
samer@53 841 possible predictions about the evolution of the seqeunce. This balance between predictability
samer@53 842 and unpredictability is reminiscent of the inverted `U' shape of the Wundt curve (see \figrf{wundt}),
samer@53 843 which summarises the observations of Wundt that the greatest aesthetic value in art
samer@53 844 is to be found at intermediate levels of disorder, where there is a balance between
samer@53 845 `order' and `chaos'.
samer@53 846
samer@53 847 Using the methods of \secrf{markov}, we found \cite{AbdallahPlumbley2009}
samer@53 848 a similar shape when plotting entropy rate againt PIR---this is visible in the
samer@53 849 upper envelope of the scatter plot in \figrf{mtriscat}, which is a 3-D scatter plot of
samer@53 850 three of the information measures discussed in \secrf{process-info} for several thousand
samer@53 851 first-order Markov chain transition matrices generated by a random sampling method.
samer@53 852 The coordinates of the `information space' are entropy rate ($h_\mu$), redundancy ($\rho_\mu$), and
samer@53 853 predictive information rate ($b_\mu$). The points along the 'redundancy' axis correspond
samer@53 854 to periodic Markov chains. Those along the `entropy' produce uncorrelated sequences
samer@53 855 with no temporal structure. Processes with high PIR are to be found at intermediate
samer@53 856 levels of entropy and redundancy.
samer@53 857 These observations led us to construct the `Melody Triangle' as a graphical interface
samer@53 858 for exploring the melodic patterns generated by each of the Markov chains represented
samer@53 859 as points in \figrf{mtriscat}.
samer@53 860
samer@43 861 \begin{fig}{wundt}
samer@43 862 \raisebox{-4em}{\colfig[0.43]{wundt}}
samer@43 863 % {\ \shortstack{{\Large$\longrightarrow$}\\ {\scriptsize\emph{exposure}}}\ }
samer@43 864 {\ {\large$\longrightarrow$}\ }
samer@43 865 \raisebox{-4em}{\colfig[0.43]{wundt2}}
samer@43 866 \caption{
samer@43 867 The Wundt curve relating randomness/complexity with
samer@43 868 perceived value. Repeated exposure sometimes results
samer@43 869 in a move to the left along the curve \cite{Berlyne71}.
samer@43 870 }
samer@43 871 \end{fig}
hekeus@45 872
hekeus@13 873
hekeus@45 874 %It is possible to apply information dynamics to the generation of content, such as to the composition of musical materials.
hekeus@45 875
hekeus@45 876 %For instance a stochastic music generating process could be controlled by modifying
hekeus@45 877 %constraints on its output in terms of predictive information rate or entropy
hekeus@45 878 %rate.
hekeus@45 879
hekeus@45 880
hekeus@13 881
samer@23 882 \subsection{The Melody Triangle}
samer@23 883
samer@53 884 The Melody Triangle is an exploratory interface for the discovery of melodic
samer@53 885 content, where the input---positions within a triangle---directly map to information
samer@53 886 theoretic measures of the output. The measures---entropy rate, redundancy and
samer@53 887 predictive information rate---form a criteria with which to filter the output
samer@53 888 of the stochastic processes used to generate sequences of notes. These measures
samer@53 889 address notions of expectation and surprise in music, and as such the Melody
samer@53 890 Triangle is a means of interfacing with a generative process in terms of the
samer@53 891 predictability of its output.
samer@53 892
samer@53 893 The triangle is `populated' with first order Markov chain transition
samer@53 894 matrices as illustrated in \figrf{mtriscat}.
samer@53 895
samer@51 896 \begin{fig}{mtriscat}
samer@51 897 \colfig{mtriscat}
samer@34 898 \caption{The population of transition matrices distributed along three axes of
samer@34 899 redundancy, entropy rate and predictive information rate (all measured in bits).
samer@34 900 The concentrations of points along the redundancy axis correspond
samer@34 901 to Markov chains which are roughly periodic with periods of 2 (redundancy 1 bit),
samer@34 902 3, 4, \etc all the way to period 8 (redundancy 3 bits). The colour of each point
samer@34 903 represents its PIR---note that the highest values are found at intermediate entropy
samer@34 904 and redundancy, and that the distribution as a whole makes a curved triangle. Although
samer@51 905 not visible in this plot, it is largely hollow in the middle.}
samer@51 906 \end{fig}
samer@23 907
samer@43 908 The distribution of transition matrices plotted in this space forms an arch shape
samer@42 909 that is fairly thin. It thus becomes a reasonable approximation to pretend that
samer@42 910 it is just a sheet in two dimensions; and so we stretch out this curved arc into
samer@42 911 a flat triangle. It is this triangular sheet that is our `Melody Triangle' and
samer@42 912 forms the interface by which the system is controlled. Using this interface
samer@46 913 thus involves a mapping to information space; a user selects a position within
samer@51 914 the triangle, and a corresponding transition matrix is returned.
samer@51 915 \Figrf{TheTriangle} shows how the triangle maps to different measures of redundancy,
samer@42 916 entropy rate and predictive information rate.
samer@41 917
samer@41 918
samer@42 919 Each corner corresponds to three different extremes of predictability and
samer@42 920 unpredictability, which could be loosely characterised as `periodicity', `noise'
samer@42 921 and `repetition'. Melodies from the `noise' corner have no discernible pattern;
samer@42 922 they have high entropy rate, low predictive information rate and low redundancy.
samer@42 923 These melodies are essentially totally random. A melody along the `periodicity'
samer@42 924 to `repetition' edge are all deterministic loops that get shorter as we approach
samer@42 925 the `repetition' corner, until it becomes just one repeating note. It is the
samer@42 926 areas in between the extremes that provide the more `interesting' melodies.
samer@42 927 These melodies have some level of unpredictability, but are not completely random.
samer@42 928 Or, conversely, are predictable, but not entirely so.
samer@41 929
samer@51 930 \begin{fig}{TheTriangle}
samer@51 931 \colfig[0.9]{TheTriangle.pdf}
samer@51 932 \caption{The Melody Triangle}
samer@51 933 \end{fig}
samer@41 934
hekeus@45 935 %PERHAPS WE SHOULD FOREGO TALKING ABOUT THE
hekeus@45 936 %INSTALLATION VERSION OF THE TRIANGLE?
hekeus@45 937 %feels a bit like a tangent, and could do with the space..
samer@42 938 The Melody Triangle exists in two incarnations; a standard screen based interface
samer@42 939 where a user moves tokens in and around a triangle on screen, and a multi-user
samer@42 940 interactive installation where a Kinect camera tracks individuals in a space and
hekeus@45 941 maps their positions in physical space to the triangle. In the latter each visitor
hekeus@45 942 that enters the installation generates a melody and can collaborate with their
samer@42 943 co-visitors to generate musical textures---a playful yet informative way to
hekeus@45 944 explore expectation and surprise in music. Additionally visitors can change the
hekeus@45 945 tempo, register, instrumentation and periodicity of their melody with body gestures.
samer@41 946
hekeus@45 947 As a screen based interface the Melody Triangle can serve as a composition tool.
samer@42 948 A triangle is drawn on the screen, screen space thus mapped to the statistical
hekeus@45 949 space of the Melody Triangle. A number of tokens, each representing a
hekeus@45 950 melody, can be dragged in and around the triangle. For each token, a sequence of symbols with
hekeus@45 951 statistical properties that correspond to the token's position is generated. These
samer@51 952 symbols are then mapped to notes of a scale%
samer@51 953 \footnote{However they could just as well be mapped to any other property, such
samer@51 954 as intervals, chords, dynamics and timbres. It is even possible to map the
samer@51 955 symbols to non-sonic outputs, such as colours. The possibilities afforded by
samer@51 956 the Melody Triangle in these other domains remains to be investigated.}.
hekeus@45 957 Additionally keyboard commands give control over other musical parameters.
samer@23 958
samer@51 959 The Melody Triangle can generate intricate musical textures when multiple tokens
samer@51 960 are in the triangle. Unlike other computer aided composition tools or programming
samer@51 961 environments, here the composer engages with music on a high and abstract level;
samer@51 962 the interface relating to subjective expectation and predictability.
hekeus@45 963
hekeus@35 964
hekeus@35 965
hekeus@38 966
hekeus@38 967 \subsection{Information Dynamics as Evaluative Feedback Mechanism}
hekeus@38 968 %NOT SURE THIS SHOULD BE HERE AT ALL..?
hekeus@38 969
samer@46 970 \begin{fig}{mtri-results}
samer@46 971 \def\scat#1{\colfig[0.42]{mtri/#1}}
samer@46 972 \def\subj#1{\scat{scat_dwells_subj_#1} & \scat{scat_marks_subj_#1}}
samer@46 973 \begin{tabular}{cc}
samer@46 974 \subj{a} \\
samer@46 975 \subj{b} \\
samer@46 976 \subj{c} \\
samer@46 977 \subj{d}
samer@46 978 \end{tabular}
samer@46 979 \caption{Dwell times and mark positions from user trials with the
samer@46 980 on-screen Melody Triangle interface. The left-hand column shows
samer@46 981 the positions in a 2D information space (entropy rate vs multi-information rate
samer@46 982 in bits) where spent their time; the area of each circle is proportional
samer@46 983 to the time spent there. The right-hand column shows point which subjects
samer@46 984 `liked'.}
samer@46 985 \end{fig}
hekeus@38 986
samer@42 987 Information measures on a stream of symbols can form a feedback mechanism; a
hekeus@45 988 rudimentary `critic' of sorts. For instance symbol by symbol measure of predictive
samer@42 989 information rate, entropy rate and redundancy could tell us if a stream of symbols
samer@42 990 is currently `boring', either because it is too repetitive, or because it is too
hekeus@45 991 chaotic. Such feedback would be oblivious to long term and large scale
hekeus@45 992 structures and any cultural norms (such as style conventions), but
hekeus@45 993 nonetheless could provide a composer with valuable insight on
samer@42 994 the short term properties of a work. This could not only be used for the
samer@42 995 evaluation of pre-composed streams of symbols, but could also provide real-time
samer@42 996 feedback in an improvisatory setup.
hekeus@38 997
hekeus@13 998 \section{Musical Preference and Information Dynamics}
samer@42 999 We are carrying out a study to investigate the relationship between musical
samer@42 1000 preference and the information dynamics models, the experimental interface a
samer@42 1001 simplified version of the screen-based Melody Triangle. Participants are asked
samer@42 1002 to use this music pattern generator under various experimental conditions in a
samer@42 1003 composition task. The data collected includes usage statistics of the system:
samer@42 1004 where in the triangle they place the tokens, how long they leave them there and
samer@42 1005 the state of the system when users, by pressing a key, indicate that they like
samer@42 1006 what they are hearing. As such the experiments will help us identify any
samer@42 1007 correlation between the information theoretic properties of a stream and its
samer@42 1008 perceived aesthetic worth.
hekeus@16 1009
samer@46 1010 Some initial results for four subjects are shown in \figrf{mtri-results}. Though
samer@46 1011 subjects seem to exhibit distinct kinds of exploratory behaviour, we have
samer@46 1012 not been able to show any systematic across-subjects preference for any particular
samer@46 1013 region of the triangle.
samer@46 1014
samer@46 1015 Subjects' comments: several noticed the main organisation of the triangle:
samer@46 1016 repetative notes at the top, cyclic patters along the right edge, and unpredictable
samer@46 1017 notes towards the bottom left (a,c,f). Some did systematic exploration.
samer@46 1018 Felt that the right side was more `controllable' than the left (a,f)---a direct consequence
samer@46 1019 of their ability to return to a particular periodic pattern and recognise at
samer@46 1020 as one heard previously. Some (a,e) felt the trial was too long and became
samer@46 1021 bored towards the end.
samer@46 1022 One subject (f) felt there wasn't enough time to get to hear out the patterns properly.
samer@46 1023 One subject (b) didn't enjoy the lower region whereas another (d) said the lower
samer@46 1024 regions were more `melodic' and `interesting'.
samer@4 1025
hekeus@38 1026 %\emph{comparable system} Gordon Pask's Musicolor (1953) applied a similar notion
hekeus@38 1027 %of boredom in its design. The Musicolour would react to audio input through a
hekeus@38 1028 %microphone by flashing coloured lights. Rather than a direct mapping of sound
hekeus@38 1029 %to light, Pask designed the device to be a partner to a performing musician. It
hekeus@38 1030 %would adapt its lighting pattern based on the rhythms and frequencies it would
hekeus@38 1031 %hear, quickly `learning' to flash in time with the music. However Pask endowed
hekeus@38 1032 %the device with the ability to `be bored'; if the rhythmic and frequency content
hekeus@38 1033 %of the input remained the same for too long it would listen for other rhythms
hekeus@38 1034 %and frequencies, only lighting when it heard these. As the Musicolour would
hekeus@38 1035 %`get bored', the musician would have to change and vary their playing, eliciting
hekeus@38 1036 %new and unexpected outputs in trying to keep the Musicolour interested.
samer@4 1037
hekeus@13 1038
samer@4 1039 \section{Conclusion}
samer@51 1040 We outlined our information dynamics approach to the modelling of the perception
samer@51 1041 of music. This approach models the subjective assessments of an observer that
samer@51 1042 updates its probabilistic model of a process dynamically as events unfold. We
samer@51 1043 outlined `time-varying' information measures, including a novel `predictive
samer@51 1044 information rate' that characterises the surprisingness and predictability of
samer@51 1045 musical patterns.
samer@4 1046
hekeus@45 1047
samer@51 1048 We have outlined how information dynamics can serve in three different forms of
samer@51 1049 analysis; musicological analysis, sound categorisation and beat tracking.
hekeus@50 1050
samer@51 1051 We have described the `Melody Triangle', a novel system that enables a user/composer
samer@51 1052 to discover musical content in terms of the information theoretic properties of
samer@51 1053 the output, and considered how information dynamics could be used to provide
samer@51 1054 evaluative feedback on a composition or improvisation. Finally we outline a
samer@51 1055 pilot study that used the Melody Triangle as an experimental interface to help
samer@51 1056 determine if there are any correlations between aesthetic preference and information
samer@51 1057 dynamics measures.
hekeus@50 1058
hekeus@45 1059
samer@59 1060 \section*{acknowledgments}
samer@51 1061 This work is supported by EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre EP/G03723X/1 (HE),
hekeus@54 1062 GR/S82213/01 and EP/E045235/1(SA), an EPSRC DTA Studentship (PF), an RAEng/EPSRC Research Fellowship 10216/88 (AR), an EPSRC Leadership Fellowship, EP/G007144/1
samer@51 1063 (MDP) and EPSRC IDyOM2 EP/H013059/1.
hekeus@55 1064 This work is partly funded by the CoSound project, funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.
hekeus@55 1065
hekeus@44 1066
samer@59 1067 \bibliographystyle{IEEEtran}
samer@43 1068 {\bibliography{all,c4dm,nime,andrew}}
samer@4 1069 \end{document}