Since I’ve been writing this blog, I’ve come across some interesting gadget visualizations relating to music in some way.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a tool that I’m really satisfied with, one that offers the potential for limitless insight into musical linkages through some highly intuitive interface…

What does music look like? The Shape of Song is an attempt to answer this seemingly paradoxical question. The custom software in this work draws musical patterns in the form of translucent arches, allowing viewers to see–literally–the shape of any composition available on the Web.

This visualization doesn’t manage to meet my lofty demands, but then again, it’s not intended for the kind of analysis I believe I’m looking for.

Each arch connects two repeated, identical passages of a composition. By using repeated passages as signposts, the diagram illustrates the deep structure of the composition.

Notice, when two different tracks of the same piece are shown one above the other, the visual reflects the underlying elegance and simplicity of the music.

Other songs, from various genres, vary greatly…

Madonna – Like a Prayer

Bach – Goldberg Variation

Sound of Song also has the ability to search the web for any song that may not be pre-loaded into the application… check it out.

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