Generating Music With Code for Non-Musicians
Date: June 16, 2025 5-6:30pm
Session Leaders: Willem
Format: Hybrid (In-person with online access)
Tags: #music • #tonejs • #generative • #sound • #audio • #javascript

In this workshop, we'll discuss, develop, and make generative music with some simple code and a little math (no AI models involved).
With Javascript and the Tone.js and Tonal.js libraries, we'll take a hands-on approach to learning music theory concepts, and then use those concepts to create a musical system that composes itself. You won't need any prior music knowledge!
We'll also discuss the history of generative music, exploring different techniques and frameworks for developing simple generative systems. You'll learn some math that can make this possible, including why certain number combinations can create beautiful and complex patterns.
Perfect for artists, designers, and developers who want to add simple soundscapes to their creative projects but don't know where to start.
All you need is a laptop with a web browser and a pair of headphones or earphones. Join us!
Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-5LGla6w19DvSi1nfAzRjVPwsqKXYCHG1_smH8eKzb8/edit?usp=sharing
p5 sketch link: https://editor.p5js.org/wyarbrough93/sketches/7IjcKBVOU
Meeting Link: https://nyu.zoom.us/j/94989998176?pwd=qFrJnPMlRAQ6sdbx9cl58oUakIzyYZ.1
Password(if needed):123456