Exploring Collaboration in Computer Music Systems for Live Coding

So-called "live coding" is a new type of music performance in which the performer writes a computer program that makes music in real-time. In his PhD, Qichao Lan has explored different types of live coding and how this particular performance style can allow for new forms of musical collaboration. In his practice-based research, he has carried out different projects including RaveForce (a new way to generate musical sound), QuaverSeries (a live coding language and a browser-based music collaboration platform), and Air Guitar (a model that can predict music information from muscle signals). Knowledge from these projects has been embedded in the development of Glicol, which is a new computer music programming language, an audio DSP library, and an online music-making platform (https://glicol.org). Lan's interdisciplinary research reveals that computer software innovation, especially in "lower-level" technology, can significantly change musical practice and collaboration. His research paves the way for future research in music and artificial intelligence, audio programming, live coding, and accessible music/computer science education.