Computational Methods in Speech-Derived Music: Field Review

Abstract Recent years have seen the emergence of diverse computational methods used to derive musical material from speech. While speech analysis, synthesis, and signal processing advancements have informed works, a review of computational methods is absent. This review addresses the gap, categorizing methods from 1980 to 2023 found in literature and contemporary music festival programs, identifying trends relating to live computation, automated compositional processes, use of acoustic-mechanical instruments, and themes including human-machine interaction, obscuring of semantic meaning, and highlighting geographical speech qualities. These approaches have broadened compositional palettes and fostered novel composer-performer-electronic interactions.