Abstract:

This paper presents Etna, a new advanced graphical tree representation of mu- sic seen from a composer´s point of view of music as a process of elaboration. It emphasizes and encloses a proper formal foundation and a one-to-one relation to a practical linear sym- bolic notation. Etna is inspired by the Generative Theory of Tonal Music (GTTM), but abstract enough to match other transformational music theories. First applied in AVA, a semi-automated two-phase composition system, Etna demonstrated a high degree of prac- ticability and straight-forward implementability. Etna is predestined to be reused beyond AVA, for instance in computer-assisted music analysis and/or synthesis.