Deep and Shallow

Providing an essential and unique bridge between the theories of signal processing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) in music, this book provides a holistic overview of foundational ideas in music, from the physical and mathematical properties of sound to symbolic representations. Combining signals and language models in one place, this book explores how sound may be represented and manipulated by computer systems, and how our devices may come to recognize particular sonic patterns as musically meaningful or creative through the lens of information theory.

Introducing popular fundamental ideas in AI at a comfortable pace, more complex discussions around implementations and implications in musical creativity are gradually incorporated as the book progresses. Each chapter is accompanied by guided programming activities designed to familiarize readers with practical implications of discussed theory, without the frustrations of free-form coding.

Surveying state-of-the art methods in applications of deep neural networks to audio and sound computing, as well as offering a research perspective that suggests future challenges in music and AI research, this book appeals to both students of AI and music, as well as industry professionals in the fields of machine learning, music, and AI.

"Deep and Shallow by Shlomo Dubnov and Ross Greer is an exceptional journey into the convergence of music, artificial intelligence, and signal processing. Seamlessly weaving together intricate theories with practical programming activities, the book guides readers, whether novices or experts, toward a profound understanding of how AI can reshape musical creativity. A true gem for both enthusiasts and professionals, this book eloquently bridges the gap between foundational concepts of music information dynamics as an underlying basis for understanding music structure and listening experience, and cutting-edge applications, ushering us into the future of music and AI with clarity and excitement."

Gil Weinberg, Professor and Founding Director, Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology

"The authors make an enormous contribution, not only as a textbook, but as essential reading on music information dynamics, bridging multiple disciplines of music, information theory, and machine learning.  The theory is illustrated and grounded in plenty of practical information and resources."

Roger B. Dannenberg, Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, Art & Music, Carnegie Mellon University