Learning with Harmony Space : an overview

Recent developments are presented in the evolution of Harmony Space , an interface that exploits cognitive theories of harmony. Harmony Space is an interface that exploits both Artificial Intelligence and Human Computer Interaction methodologies to help beginners learn about and make use of aspects of tonal harmony rapidly. Use is made of LonguetHiggins' and Balzano's cognitive theories of tonal harmony. The interface allows entities of interest (notes, chords, chord progressions, key areas, modulations) to be manipulated via direct manipulation techniques using a single principled spatial metaphor to make a wide range of musical tasks simple for novices to perform. The interface can also be used by experienced musicians to make a range of expert tasks more tractable than by using conventional tools and notations. The interface is highly interactive and multi-modal, using two pointing devices and spatial, aural and kinaesthetic cues that all map uniformly into the underlying theory. Some recent implementations of Harmony Space are discussed, together with some of the musical tasks which they make tractable for beginners and experienced musicians. Aspects of the simple, consistent, principled framework behind the interface are outlined.