MOVING IN TIME: COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF MICROTIMING IN MARACATU DE BAQUE SOLTO

Matthew E.P. Davies, Magdalena Fuentes, João Fonseca, Luís Aly, Marco Jerónimo, Filippo Bonini Baraldi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

“Maracatu de baque solto” is a Carnival performance combining music, poetry, and dance, occurring in the Zona da Mata Norte region of Pernambuco (Northeast Brazil). Maracatu percussive music is strongly repetitive, and is played as loud and as fast as possible. Both from an MIR and ethnomusicological perspective this makes a complex musical scene to analyse and interpret. In this paper we focus on the extraction of microtiming profiles towards the longer term goal of understanding how rhythmic performance in Maracatu is used to promote health and well-being. To conduct this analysis we use a set of recordings acquired with contact microphones which minimise the interference between performers. Our analysis reveals that the microtiming profiles differ substantially from those observed in more widely studied South American music. In particular, we highlight the presence of dynamic microtiming profiles as well as the importance of the choice of timekeeper instrument, which dictates how the performances can be understood. Throughout this work, we emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in which MIR, audio engineering, and ethnomusicology must interact to provide meaningful insight about this music.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 21st International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, ISMIR 2020
EditorsJulie Cumming, Jin Ha Lee, Brian McFee, Markus Schedl, Johanna Devaney, Johanna Devaney, Cory McKay, Eva Zangerle, Timothy de Reuse
PublisherInternational Society for Music Information Retrieval
Pages85-92
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780981353708
StatePublished - 2020
Event21st International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, ISMIR 2020 - Virtual, Online, Canada
Duration: Oct 11 2020Oct 16 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 21st International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, ISMIR 2020

Conference

Conference21st International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, ISMIR 2020
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVirtual, Online
Period10/11/2010/16/20

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Music
  • Information Systems

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