aleatory

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Scope note
Technique of music composition in which the composer leaves a significant amount of control over the piece to the performers or circumstances, excluding some of the traditional ways of doing this such as guided improvisation and unmeasured pauses. There are generally three methods employed: (1) the use of random procedures to generate compositions; (2) the allowance of choice to the performer(s) from among options created by the composer; and (3) the use of nontraditional or totally new-made schemes or notation and notational symbols that loosen the composer's instructions and allow much room for the performer(s) own interpretation. The technique has been used widely since the mid-20th century, one of the notable practitioners being the American composer John Cage.
aleatory
Accepted term: 02-Dec-2024