During collective musical performances over the network that are characterized by improvisation, a performer may face the problem of what connected musician to follow most in order to direct his/her own improvisation. This choice may be taken on the basis of different factors related to the state of the network and of the kind of the received musical signal. In this paper we investigate the possibility to adopt the mathematical formalism of Quantum Mechanics to describe some interaction phenomena occurring during improvised networked music performances. We propose a decision-making system, having a quantum circuit in its core, where the approximated decision by performers is modeled with state superposition and probability amplitudes used in quantum computing. The model considers the levels of signal clarity (i.e., audio quality related to packet losses), latency, and musical novelty (e.g., melodic or harmonic variation with respect to a previous musical sequence) as the factors that affect the decision of a performer to select another connected performer to follow. This model may be exploited to regulate the behaviour of an artificial intelligent agent playing the role of a virtual musician in the networked ensemble (via generative music techniques). This allows to create mixed human-artificial ensembles and even fully artificial ensembles in networked contexts.
During collective musical performances over the network that are characterized by improvisation, a performer may face the problem of what connected musician to follow most in order to direct his/her own improvisation. This choice may be taken on the basis of different factors related to the state of the network and of the kind of the received musical signal. In this paper we investigate the possibility to adopt the mathematical formalism of Quantum Mechanics to describe some interaction phenomena occurring during improvised networked music performances. We propose a decision-making system, having a quantum circuit in its core, where the approximated decision by performers is modeled with state superposition and probability amplitudes used in quantum computing. The model considers the levels of signal clarity (i.e., audio quality related to packet losses), latency, and musical novelty (e.g., melodic or harmonic variation with respect to a previous musical sequence) as the factors that affect the decision of a performer to select another connected performer to follow. This model may be exploited to regulate the behaviour of an artificial intelligent agent playing the role of a virtual musician in the networked ensemble (via generative music techniques). This allows to create mixed human-artificial ensembles and even fully artificial ensembles in networked contexts.
This paper introduces an interactive music system with quantum musical agents that communicate by teleporting quantum states to one another. Human performers interact in real time with agents whose melodic and rhythmic behaviours are encoded as quantum states using Single Qubit Probability Amplitude Modulation (SQPAM) and structured through Quantum Phase Estimation (QPE). Up to three agents are combined within a single quantum circuit, with directed communication via quantum teleportation. We are interested in supporting ambiguous, transformative interactions reminiscent of free Jazz improvisation. Therefore, rather than treating noise and decoherence as limitations, the system embraces NISQ-era constraints as creative affordances, framing agent communication as quantum whispers, that is, deliberate, musically expressive imperfections in state transfer. We provide demonstrations and analyses based on melodic correlation, pitch-set distance, and state fidelity, where a continuum between imitation and divergence can be observed. We developed a tunable interpretation method to assess how agents reinterpret teleported states. This work positions teleportation as a promising interaction mechanism for agent-based quantum computer music and outlines future directions toward distributed ensembles connected via the Quantum Internet.
The composer constantly makes choices: it is the composer, in fact, who chooses a melodic, rhythmic, harmonic path among the various, infinite possible paths between point A, the beginning, and point B, the end of a composition. The choice of one path over another, a local modification of a given path, can also be influenced by external factors. As it happens for the path of a charged particle in a magnetic field, the choice of the musical path can be influenced by personal style, culture, technical characteristics of the instruments, and combinations of instruments used. Even in quantum mechanics, there are “choices”: the state of a system appears as a superposition of possible eigenstates with different probability amplitudes. The act of measurement “forces” the system to choose a particular state: the observer influences the physics of the system. Like the famous example of Schrödinger’s cat, alive and dead at the same time until the box in which it is located is opened. From the choices of notes and musical paths to decision-making systems, we present some examples of the application of quantum mechanics to music. Among the applications of quantum computing, we mention a study on robots with associated musical descriptions. In particular, we consider the distributed intelligence of a swarm of robots and its possible musical description, from some existing works to our original application.
In recent years, quantum computing has emerged as the next frontier in computational and information technologies. Even though it has found potential applications in solving complex problems in fields such as chemistry, machine learning, and cryptography, among other fields, there has been little research conducted on its applications for music and acoustic technologies. This paper will discuss the use of a quantum internet protocol in the context of networked music performance in which quantum computing could play a role in processing musical data via a cloud-based music software application. We also propose an example model for a beat-making performance network using a smart music playlist application deployed on a simulated quantum internet. In the proposed system design and architecture, several beat-makers located remotely from each other are connected live over a simulated quantum internet in a distributed networked music performance. Each beat-maker node transmits and receives audio sample time slices of beat patterns from one another to use in their local performances. This model provides a proof of concept for implementing quantum algorithms, standards, and protocols in music software and network applications when a quantum internet becomes available.
Quantum computing and artificial intelligence, two prominent topics in science and technology, are rapidly advancing and extending their influence into numerous fields, including music. Quantum computer music, which merges the strengths of quantum computing and deep learning, heralds a new era in the integration of music creation with cutting-edge technology. The interactive quantum music composition “Spinnings—Q1 Synth Trio”, created by Brazilian composer Miranda during the QuTune project at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), in collaboration with the University of Oxford, stands as a notable example of quantum computer music. This study adopts a case study approach to thoroughly investigate the technical creative process behind this work, covering elements such as quantum computing, quantum properties, qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, gradually unveiling the mathematical logic behind quantum algorithmic composition. The results of this study indicate that quantum algorithmic composition, as an emerging approach to music creation, not only generates unique music through the characteristics of quantum computing but also offers new possibilities for the integration of music, art, and technology. By applying quantum bits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, this research demonstrates how quantum computing can provide new theoretical foundations and practical methods for music composition. Furthermore, the study discusses how to optimize the interactive creative experience in quantum music works and how to enhance the understanding and appreciation of quantum music among a broader audience of musicians and listeners. With the continuous advancement of quantum computing technology, quantum music is poised to contribute a distinctive dimension to the global flourishing of musical culture. This research offers fresh perspectives and ideas for the development of this field.
We present a web-based interactive music system that generates sound through the framework of twoplayer quantum game theory. Two users connect via a internet browser interface, select quantum strategies, and trigger notes by pressing piano keys. Each input initiates a two-qubit circuit whose measurement probabilistically collapses into one of four outcomes, each linked to a payoff pair inspired by the Prisoner’s Dilemma. These sampled payoffs determine pitch shifts relative to a neutral baseline, producing distinct sounds for each player.The system provides real-time visual and auditory feedback, allowing participants to perceive how their own strategies intertwine with those of their opponent through quantum interference and measurement. Beyond applications in music and education, the framework also models improvisatory interplay-akin to jazz performance-where each player’s decision reshapes the shared horizon of possible outcomes. This platform opens new avenues for exploring quantum games, human-computer interaction, and entangled decision-making through sound.
There has been tremendous progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for music, in particular for musical composition and access to large databases for commercialisation through the Internet.We are interested in further advancing this field, focusing on composition.In contrast to current 'blackbox' AI methods, we are championing an interpretable compositional outlook on generative music systems.In particular, we are importing methods from the Distributional Compositional Categorical (DisCoCat) modelling framework for Natural Language Processing (NLP), motivated by musical grammars.Quantum computing is a nascent technology, which is very likely to impact the music industry in time to come.Thus, we are pioneering a Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP) approach to develop a new generation of intelligent musical systems.This work follows from previous experimental implementations of DisCoCat linguistic models on quantum hardware.In this chapter, we present Quanthoven, the first proof-of-concept ever built, which (a) demonstrates that it is possible to program a quantum computer to learn to classify music that conveys different meanings and (b) illustrates how such a capability might be leveraged to develop a system to compose meaningful pieces of music.After a discussion about our current understanding of music as a communication medium and its relationship to natural language, the chapter focuses on the techniques developed to (a) encode musical compositions as quantum circuits, and (b) design a quantum classifier.The chapter ends with demonstrations of compositions created with the system.