ModusXXI: An Atonal Melody Generator for Ear Training, Based on Lars Edlund ́S Modus Novus Methodology

This paper describes the development, evaluation and use of the computer program ModusXXI, a music generator that can create a practically unlimited number of atonal melodic dictations, or melodic material for sight-reading, based on the Modus Novus methodology [Edlund, 1963]. Lars Edlund’s Modus Novus organizes the aural study of atonal melody structure on the combinations of intervals that will break the bonds with any tonal context; a characteristic of some music composed since the first half of the 20th century. Each chapter has certain melodic material that has been grouped together, according to the musical intervals that they contain, in groups of increasing degree of difficulty. Although there are other atonal ear-training methods [Friedmann, 1990], Modus Novus is the only one known to us that concentrates specifically on the study of the melodic interval structure of atonal music. At present, several systems are available, or have been proposed, that generate music with computers. Nevertheless, none of these organizes the melodic structure upon specific atonal intervallic content. ModusXXI is a computer application with an easy-to-use graphic user interface, that runs on systems that support the Java Virtual Machine [www.java.com]. It generates melodies following the Modus Novus methodology, based on random selection of notes and rhythmic values. ModusXXI was tested with a group of music students, obtaining a Mean Opinion Score acceptance of over 80%.