Systematic and Quantative Electro-acoustic Music Analysis (SQEMA)

In this paper we present the SQEMA (Systematic and Quantitative Electro-acoustic Music Analysis) methodology. The primary aim of SQEMA is to create a comprehensive framework to assist in the analysis of electro-acoustic music. Our proposed methodology is based on two main strategies: (a) exploitation of MIR and salient feature extraction techniques and (b) employing a systematic analysis paradigm to segment a complex piece of music into smaller and more manageable parts. Our initial studies show potential in using MIR techniques which seem to be underemployed for electro-acoustic music analysis. The literature in electro-acoustic music analysis provides a plethora of promising methods. However, the research also seems to be plagued by lack of consensus, confusion in nomenclature, and absence of a standard modus operandi, as far as strategies for electro-acoustic music analysis are concerned. We propose a methodology that attempts to provide a framework to address some of the issues found in existing fragmented systems, while incorporating useful portions of existing techniques. SQEMA employs a stepwise segmentation approach focusing on techniques that yield quantifiable information pertaining to form and content. One of its primary goals is informing aesthetic interpretation. In this paper we undertake a thorough analysis of The Machine Stops using our proposed methodology.