Tension ribbons: Quantifying and visualising tonal tension

Tension is a complex multidimensional concept that is not easily quantified. This research proposes three methods for quantifying aspects of tonal tension based on the spiral array, a model for tonality. The cloud diameter measures the dispersion of clusters of notes in tonal space; the cloud momentum measures the movement of pitch sets in the spiral array; finally, tensile strain measures the distance between the local and global tonal context. The three methods are implemented in a system that displays the results as tension ribbons over the music score to allow for ease of interpretation. All three methods are extensively tested on data ranging from small snippets to phrases with the Tristan chord and larger sections from Beethoven and Schubert piano sonatas. They are further compared to results from an existing empirical experiment

End-to-End Bayesian Segmentation and Similarity Assessment of Performed Music Tempo and Dynamics without Score Information

Segmenting continuous sensory input into coherent segments and subsegments is an important part of perception. Music is no exception. By shaping the acoustic properties of music during performance, musicians can strongly influence the perceived segmentation. Two main techniques musicians employ are the modulation of tempo and dynamics. Such variations carry important information for segmentation and lend themselves well to numerical analysis methods. In this article, based on tempo or loudness modulations alone, we propose a novel end-to-end Bayesian framework using dynamic programming to retrieve a musician's expressed segmentation. The method computes the credence of all possible segmentations of the recorded performance. The output is summarized in two forms: as a beat-by-beat profile revealing the posterior credence of plausible boundaries, and as expanded credence segment maps, a novel representation that converts readily to a segmentation lattice but retains information about the posterior uncertainty on the exact position of segments’ endpoints. To compare any two segmentation profiles, we introduce a method based on unbalanced optimal transport. Experimental results on the MazurkaBL dataset show that despite the drastic dimension reduction from the input data, the segmentation recovery is sufficient for deriving musical insights from comparative examination of recorded performances. This Bayesian segmentation method thus offers an alternative to binary boundary detection and finds multiple hypotheses fitting information from recorded music performances

A Model of Rhythm Transcription as Path Selection Through Approximate Common Divisor Graphs

We apply the concept of approximated common divisors (ACDs) to estimate the tempo and quantize the durations of a rhythmic sequence. The ACD models the duration of the tatum within the sequence, giving its rate in beats per minute. The rhythm input, a series of timestamps, is first split into overlapping frames. Then, we compute the possible ACDs that fit this frame and build a graph with the candidate ACDs as nodes. By building this graph, we transform the quantization problem into one of path selection, where the nodes represent the ACDs and determine the note values of the transcription and the edges represent tempo transitions between frames. A path through the graph thus corresponds to a rhythm transcription. For path selection, we present both an automated method using weights for evaluating the transcription and finding the shortest path, and an interactive approach that gives users the possibility of influencing the path selection

Non-traditional support workers delivering a brief psychosocial intervention for older people with anxiety and depression: the NOTEPAD feasibility study

BACKGROUND:Anxiety and depression often coexist in older people. These disorders are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and are associated with increased use of health and social care services, and raised mortality. Barriers to diagnosis include the reluctance of older people to present to their general practitioner (GP) with mood symptoms because of the stigma they perceive about mental health problems, and because the treatments offered are not acceptable to them. OBJECTIVES:To refine a community-based psychosocial intervention for older people with anxiety and/or depression so that it can be delivered by non-traditional providers such, as support workers (SWs), in the third sector. To determine whether or not SWs can be trained to deliver this intervention to older people with anxiety and/or depression. To test procedures and determine if it is feasible to recruit and randomise patients, and to conduct a process evaluation to provide essential information to inform a randomised trial. DESIGN:Three phases, all informed by a patient and public involvement and engagement group. Qualitative work with older people and third-sector providers, plus a consensus group to refine the intervention, training, SW manuals and patient participant materials (phase 1). Recruitment and training of SWs (phase 2). Feasibility study to test recruitment procedures and assess fidelity of delivery of the intervention; and interviews with study participants, SWs and GPs to assess acceptability of the intervention and impact on routine care (phase 3). SETTING:North Staffordshire, in collaboration with Age UK North Staffordshire. INTERVENTION:A psychosocial intervention, comprising one-to-one contact between older people with anxiety and/or depression and a SW employed by Age UK North Staffordshire, based on the principles of behavioural activation (BA), with encouragement to participate in a group activity. RESULTS:Initial qualitative work contributed to refinement of the psychosocial intervention. Recruitment (and retention) of the SWs was possible; the training, support materials and manual were acceptable to them, and they delivered the intervention as intended. Recruitment of practices from which to recruit patients was possible, but the recruitment target (100 patients) was not achieved, with 38 older adults randomised. Retention at 4 months was 86%. The study was not powered to demonstrate differences in outcomes. Older people in the intervention arm found the sessions with SWs acceptable, although signposting to, and attending, groups was not valued by all participants. GPs recognised the need for additional care for older people with anxiety and depression, which they could not provide. Participation in the study did not have an impact on routine care, other than responding to the calls from the study team about risk of self-harm. GPs were not aware of the work done by SWs with patients. LIMITATIONS:Target recruitment was not achieved. CONCLUSIONS:Support workers recruited from Age UK employees can be recruited and trained to deliver an intervention, based on the principles of BA, to older people with anxiety and/or depression. The training and supervision model used in the study was acceptable to SWs, and the intervention was acceptable to older people. FUTURE WORK:Further development of recruitment strategies is needed before this intervention can be tested in a fully powered randomised controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN16318986. FUNDING:This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 7, No. 25. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information