A Hardware-Oriented Algorithm for Real-Time Music Key Signature Recognition

Abstract

The algorithm presented in this paper provides the means for the real-time recognition of the key signature associated with a given piece of music, based on the analysis of a very small number of initial notes. The algorithm can easily be implemented in electronic musical instruments, enabling real-time generation of musical notation. The essence of the solution proposed herein boils down to the analysis of a music signature, defined as a set of twelve vectors representing the particular pitch classes. These vectors are anchored in the center of the circle of fifths, pointing radially towards each of the twelve tones of the chromatic scale. Besides a thorough description of the algorithm, the authors also present a theoretical introduction to the subject matter. The results of the experiments performed on preludes and fugues by J.S. Bach, as well as the preludes, nocturnes, and etudes of F. Chopin, validating the usability of the method, are also presented and thoroughly discussed. Additionally, the paper includes a comparison of the efficacies obtained using the developed solution with the efficacies observed in the case of music notation generated by a musical instrument of a reputable brand, which clearly indicates the superiority of the proposed algorithm.

Keywords

• key signature recognition
• music data mining
• music information retrieval
• computer music analysis