Musical Notation, Electronic Technology and Cybernetics; a Pragmatic Perspective

Composition traditionally means notation and formal organization. Conversely many modern musical works that utilize electronic technologies do not rely on formal notational systems. This paper makes the case for compositional systems, which do not adhere to traditional forms, and in particular those that do not elevate notation as the final musical artifact. Two main areas will be examined: Firstly, the pragmatic philosophical position, as it relates to technology, which argues that text based forms such as notation are unnecessary in works that utilize electronic media. Secondly, the consideration of a systematic framework that facilitates composition with electronic technologies that does not rely on notation, namely Cybernetics.