Directed Evolution in Live Coding Music Performance

Genetic algorithms are extensively used to understand, simulate, and create works of art and music. In this paper, a similar approach is taken to apply basic evolutionary algorithms to perform music live using code. Often considered an improvisational or experimental performance, live coding music comes with its own set of challenges. Genetic algorithms offer potential to address these long-standing challenges. Traditional evolutionary applications in music focused on novelty search to create new sounds, sequences of notes or chords, and effects. In contrast, this paper focuses on live performance to create directed evolving musical pieces. The paper also details some key design decisions, implementation, and usage of a novel genetic algorithm API created for a popular live coding language