Abstract
In this talk, we will explore our extensive research efforts in applying computational methodologies to analyze and understand diverse music traditions, with a focus on Carnatic music. We will delve into the journey from identifying research questions to disseminating impactful results, highlighting the collaborative process with musicians, scholars, and technologists within the Carnatic music community. This presentation will address various facets of our work, including the curation and creation of culturally rich datasets, the development of tailored signal processing and machine learning techniques, and the unique challenges we encountered in capturing the nuanced characteristics of Carnatic music. We will discuss specific tasks such as audio source separation and melodic analysis, showcasing the methodologies and tools designed to address the complex, ornamented structures of Carnatic music.
The talk will also cover evaluation frameworks that measure the relevance and accuracy of our findings, as well as the development of practical applications that support both academic research and broader community engagement. Finally, we will reflect on the broader implications of this research, considering its impact on the preservation and understanding of non-Western musical repertoires and the field of computational musicology.
Bio
Xavier Serra is a Professor at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, where he leads the Music Technology Group within the Department of Engineering. He earned his PhD in Computer Music from Stanford University in 1989, focusing on spectral processing of musical sounds, a foundational work in the field. His research spans computational analysis, description, and synthesis of sound and music signals, blending scientific and artistic disciplines.
Dr. Serra is very active in the fields of Audio Signal Processing, Sound and Music Computing, Music Information Retrieval and Computational Musicology at the local and international levels, being involved in the editorial board of several journals and conferences and giving lectures on current and future challenges of these fields. He received an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council for the CompMusic project, promoting multicultural approaches in music information research. Currently, he directs the UPF-BMAT Chair on AI and Music, dedicated to fostering Ethical AI initiatives that can empower the music sector.