Human-Robot Jazz Improvisation (Highlights)

The stage debut of Shimon, the robotic marimba player. Also, the world first human-robot rendition of Duke Jordan's "Jordu", for human piano and robot marimba.

Full performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy02lwvGv3U

The robot listens to the human play and tries to match its beat, sync, and themes. It uses choreographic gestures to generate both motion and sound.


Programmed and performed by:
Guy Hoffman
http://www.guyhoffman.com/

The Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology:
http://gtcmt.coa.gatech.edu/
Director: Gil Weinberg

Robot design and construction:
Roberto Aimi, Alium Labs
http://www.aliumlabs.com/

Venue:
eyedrum art+music, Atlanta, GA
http://eyedrum.org/

©April 2009

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• robot
• music
• hri
• marimba
• georgia tech
• robotic performance
• robot music
• robot musicianship
• robotic jazz
• jazz
• marimba robot
• shimon

[peyham]

Already better than Kenny G

[luckado]

oh my god, skynet is real!

[ERKRAKANARB]

@andrewmusic95 no, youd think they would make it really easy... which they did... robots aren't that advanced yet, and this is the first of its kind

[ThdeGreatestOne]

This robot has, ssssoulllllllllllllllllll!

[andrewmusic95]

You think that since it's a robot they would make the part like super impossibly hard....

[Suckafreecountry]

Wait a second, I thought Charlie Parker already made a shit load of "Jazz Robots?" ;p

[DeathRAY310]

Go to your adress bar , type gift to youtube and press enter to win a prize

[ChrisGuerre]

Also, there are many musicians that will never reach the point of being able to TRULY improvise the whole way through a solo or piece. Not all of us are latent Wayne Shorters, D'jango Reinhardts if you will. However, I think it will be a while before they can get this thing to swing! Not to diminish the dynamic human spirit and mind, just trying to give some perspective. No need to respond, just take it for what it is. Thank You

[ChrisGuerre]

Many people are saying that this robot isn't really improvising because it draws from patterns learned. I know all you jazz musicians would like to think that you are all artsy divine and all, but the truth is, that's the same way we humans learn music as well. To begin with, we learn patterns, and we shed, then we improv back ideas that are in essence just "patterns" of bits and pieces that we've transcribed or memorized. I often hear jazz soloists play lines that they played the night before.

[FiveAndUhSixUh]

Calm down people, it's a robot. The point isn't that it's a master technician, the point is that it's a robot that's learning. 

[youenjoy00myself]

I'd like to hear it try to keep up with giant steps...

[rukussert]

hey, you know, what's important is the cultural experience that this is.