Todd, P.M. (1999). Simulating the evolution of musical behavior. In N. Wallin (Ed.), The origins of music. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Abstract

Prehistoric musical behavior did not fossilize very well, and there are relatively few species alive today with which we can take a comparative approach to the origins of human musical ability. Evolutionary computer simulations provide another means of exploring this question: By constructing a population of artificial music-producers whose behavior can be selected by various fitness-determining critics, we can study hypothetical scenarios for the evolution of musical behavior. To date, most simulations of this type have been constructed for the purpose of creating new forms of computerized music composition systems, rather than to answer scientific questions. But we can survey these systems and the simulation techniques they use to learn about the effects of different types of knowledge representations in the music creators and music critics on the evolutionary process. In addition, we present here the results of a simulation explicitly designed to explore the question of the evolutionary impact of various forms of selection, focusing on sexual selection via coevolving male song-producers and female song-critics. In our model, coevolving creators and critics can increase the diversity of musical behaviors seen both across generations and within any one population. We conclude by indicating further questions that this kind of simulation approach to the evolution of musical behavior can answer.



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