THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 1

The Musical Algorithms of

My Soul
A humanistic approach to understanding my musical core. By Levi Booker


THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 2
Introduction
The definition of the word "algorithm" is "a process or set of rules to be followed in
calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer." That definition
is typically used in computer settings in which digital programs have systems to understand
a set of pre-defined rules and execute actions for the benefits of users. However, as
computing power and programming wizardry becomes more and more powerful, these
algorithms can gain a type of artificial intelligence that is slowly able to learn more about
humans and give more relevant results for whatever they may be looking for. For example,
one of the biggest and most popular algorithms that we use in our daily life is the Google
search engine algorithm, "PageRank", its official name. Google's algorithm is basically the
heart and soul of the Internet, whatever it determines to be important, is what we will see
when we use Google. However, very few have utilized a more "humanistic" approach of
algorithms, how we as humans need a set a rules to dictate how to acquire a musical taste
and how it then evolves in regard to our social and cultural surroundings. I believe that my
own musical soul can be actually described as an algorithmic process, and this paper will
be the overview of my "humanistic music algorithm".
Purpose of this Paper
Over the course of this paper, I will be looking at a new humanistic approach of
"musical algorithms", or in common terms, how I have naturally developed my musical taste
in a set of rules that eventually evolve on their own. I start the paper by breaking down how
one can apply a typically mathematical term, "algorithm", to a social science application of
understanding how a person gains their music taste. With the new application of "algorithm"
in a more humanistic manner, this paper is showcasing my own personal and psychological
process in creating a humanistic music algorithm. Similar to how we use computer science
theory to understand mechanical algorithms, we can also apply social psychological theory to
see how my humanistic algorithms were created and developed over my lifetime. Finally, I
conclude how to apply my mindset to different forms of media; and the important discussion
about why this new approach is important in the future of music and music programming.


THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 3
Algorithms for Music: Technically & Humanistic
Whatever music a person may hear on Spotify, Pandora, Beats Music, Rdio, and other
online music services is not placed there un-systemically. Instead an algorithm that is able to
track a user's personal tastes from previous listens and social connections, tries to put
together a personal and unique playlist/presentation page that is designed to increase
engagement with said music "app". The rise of digital musical algorithms started with the
rise of the "Web 2.0" culture, and websites such as "Pandora", where users of the service are
able to "like" music they want to listen more of. The secret of Pandora (and it competitors) is
that they have radically shifted how we consume music. We are not constricted by todays
"media elites", typically made up of music executives, journalists, etc., exercising complete
control in music programming and limiting ones choices. Instead, we now live in a world
where software can go out and actually give you what "you want". Google best describes this
when they say, "algorithms are computer programs that look for clues to give you back
exactly what you want."
1

Therefore, digital musical algorithms have ironically allowed computers, and their
programmers, to usurp the power of music recommendation from these "media elites". The
advert of these algorithms have created a new and exciting deviation, where music taste is
becoming much more fragmented now that individuals are allowed to build their own
musical world, and be completely engrossed in just a specialized type of music of their own
choosing. Digital music algorithms are making it so the average person's music taste is much
more defined and less generic than in years past. This is in contrast of the past where radio
was the medium for music delivery and discovery, took great pride in music programming
that was artistic and innovative, and allowed my musical soul to develop.
How does the background on computer algorithms relate to a person's knowledge
about music? I believe that my own background in music can be best explained as a
humanistic approach for music algorithms, that I go into detail later in this paper. Quoting a
recent Wired article, "there are five tasks that algorithms seem especially capable of
performing: rapidly executing repetitive tasks, logically evaluating between multiple choices,

1
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/howsearchworks/algorithms.html

THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 4
predicting the future, evaluating the past, and finding the overlooked."
2
The unique signals
that dictated my musical tastes were "socially constructed", and although humans may not be
as strong at executing the five tasks that computer algorithms perform; humans, including
myself, still do those actions on a daily basis; thus I can have my own musical algorithm.
Ironically, I preform these tasks every time I learn about and process music. This paper ties in
my own humanistic idea of a personal music algorithm and how it was developed during the
early stages of my life.
I believe that my life experiences, social networks, local culture, and many other mini-
factors have initially created my musical algorithm that shapes how I interact with the
world of music. As more life experiences, or in a better term "life data", was stored into my
daily life, my musical tastes became more advanced and distinct. By using this approach, I
am much more in tune with finding ways to musically engage with my listening audience.























2
http://www.wired.com/2014/06/algorithms-humans-bffs/

THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 5
The Humanistic Development of My Algorithmic Core
The personal development of my own internal musical algorithm started when I was
around 6 to 7 years old. During this time period, I started to truly comprehend and process
the musical spectrum around me. It would be the first time that my own internal database
gained the necessary "musical data" that would fire up my "audio receptors" and start the
process of forming my musical core.
An early memory of mine involves family road trips going back east and during these
trips, we would have the radio on during the car ride. As I rode in the car, I would hear so
many unique songs, as we drove pass different radio signals across the geographical lines of
different cities and states. All of these diverse musical genres, from Rock & Roll, Jazz,
Country and R&B, kicked off my "audio receptors", and my psyche was being bombarded
with a variety of musical styles, and activated my own algorithmic core.
However, the device that allowed me to truly unlock my algorithmic potential was my
first "Crystal Radio" device, and the device was basically a "fire hose of musical data" that
went directly to my brain. The crystal radio was a small broadcast receiver that did not need
traditional electric power to operate and allowed me to listen to the radio on a nearly
unlimited basis. That crystal radio opened up a wide-ranging musical world that I never
experienced before, and all of it was immediately imprinted into my internal musical
database. By having the earpiece to the crystal radio in my ear almost every night, it was
filling my brain with new musical tastes. It was a "fire hose" of musical data because of the
variety of content that was being played on radio stations during that time period, and is a
major reason why the idea of radio is so deeply embedded into my musical soul.
Like any good algorithm, I still continue to build my internal musical platform to this
day. The development of my musical core has had no social and culture restrictions;
therefore, similar to how an algorithm is never stopping in its mission of gaining more data
to become more advanced, my appetite for new music has only just expanded over time. I
saw my interest in more worldly music expand as well; from Reggae, to Brazilian, and even
Classical, I always jumped at the chance to put more music within my "database". Since I
have listened to so much music over the years, I now have the ability to connect certain songs
to certain time periods.
Music is a truly universal and unlimited medium, and because of those vital elements,
it is a technically infinite stream of data that can go into my humanistic & algorithmic soul.

THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 6
There is so much musical data that I strive to analyze, process, listen to, and play while
programming for others' enjoyment. I hear so much music that I wish to play which makes
the algorithms of my musical soul extremely overwhelming for many outsiders, because very
few individuals have been as psychologically effected by music. This leads me to always
refining and adjusting my musical algorithm to fit my needs and wants while considering the
needs and want of others, as well.
From the large computer mainframes of the mid-20th century to powerful smartphone
in the palm of your hand, the essential element that keeps those pieces of technology running
is the everlasting stream of data they are always receiving. This is similar to my own
understanding of music, from the small crystal radio; then transitioning to transistor radios,
records, CD, and eventually digital music; all of those forms of musical-media have lead to
an infinite "data-stream" for my musical soul.
One of the major reasons why many consider traditional radio a dying medium is
because it has stop adding "data" to their own musical core. Instead of brimming with the
wide variety of music that developed my own musical soul, we see stations limiting
themselves with latest "Top 40" hits that are only created for the lowest common dominator
of artistic taste. This is why new digital music platforms, such as Pandora, Beats Music, and
iTunes, are winning; these services are once again allowing for the unlimited stream of music
enter our psyche and free us from being stuck with the lowest common dominator. With the
advent of technology and new genres, my tastes are move developed and expanded than
ever before, and like any good algorithm, such as my humanistic one, it will never stop
collecting and learning.











THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 7
Using a Psychological Approach to Understand My Own Humanistic Algorithms
As mentioned earlier, when using the term "algorithm", most typically think of it
within the traditional computer science manner that dictates how we use computer programs
to solve problems that are very mechanical in nature. However, as computer science has
become more advanced with pieces of artificial intelligence now being a part of the "new
norm", these algorithms now can do more than "solve problems", they are able to be more
predictive in nature and learn from past experiences. This shift in the use of computer
algorithms makes it so we can apply the new modern structure of them to my own human
ideas, using different fields of study, such as psychology.
By adapting a psychological approach to my own human "musical algorithms", it
allows for discussion of this theoretical topic when we try to apply it for my human music
consumption. More specifically, using interpersonal & social psychology processes makes it
easier to explain the idea of my own humanistic musical algorithms. For example, I have
been socially influenced and formed as a "unique individual" over the course of my life by
my family, friends, local culture, schooling, etc. My "social environment" played a major role
in shaping what I enjoy and what I consume, which includes the consumption and enjoyment
of different types of music. This psychological approach allows us to understand my musical
knowledge and taste as my own personal "music algorithm".
Just by looking over at my "social environment", one can see how the obvious "life
data" that I have collected over the years developed my advanced musical soul. That "life
data" shapes the internal mental algorithm that dictates what type of music I will enjoy, play,
and program for others. However, my "life data" was also be affected by other micro-
personal factors such as relationships, social influences, and personal intelligence, and helps
explain why I have such a diverse and wide-ranging sense of musical taste.
With this newfound way of thinking about my own personal music development, it
opens up a somewhat "radical" way of thinking about why we enjoy music. My "musical
soul" is truly the human algorithm that dictates my musical worldview.





THE MUSICAL ALGORITHMS OF MY SOUL 8
The Future of Applying The Humanistic Approach to Media
After opening up my theoretical mindset of how I interact with music, what can be
done with it? An item that comes to mind includes new types of music entertainment and
shows, where I can ask individuals, "how were their internal music algorithms developed?"
Instead of these typically vain and shallow encounters with musicians that usually just
involve them promoting a new album/single/tour, we could pivot to deep and engaging
conversations about how their musical identity was formed. This proposed change in how
music creators are engaged by the media is extremely exciting and can be a boost in the arm
for music industry, as a whole. Think about the high engagement levels that a program
(digital, television, radio) could have if they were able to sit down with a major music artist
or producer, and actually analyze their own personal musical algorithm. This would not be
just an "in-depth interview", but a detailed analysis of the internal and external factors that
shaped a creator's musical algorithm. This type of programming could easily pivot into a
popular television program and be captivating for audiences and advertisers.
In addition, the rise of "new media" can only help boost this new perspective of
humanistic algorithms. An example that is already being utilized by "Beats Music" is their
use of custom playlists created by human curators that are then specifically targeted to select
groups of users. But, what if digital music services could conduct a personality quiz and then
use that data (compared with other users) to present a custom humanistic musical algorithm
that is correlated with the human algorithm the user has shared with them? This humanistic
approach can disrupt the current media space by applying it to more custom and tailored
music programming; 'Songza" is an example of a service that allows users to "have different
moods" of music, but these playlist moods are created by humans. Important to note that the
two leading digital music services in this field mentioned earlier, "Beats Music" & "Songza",
were recently purchased by Apple Inc. and Google, respectively; thus of those companies
understand the importance of humanistic algorithms.
In conclusion, this paper has showcased an understanding to why I was able to gain
my own "unique" music development and taste, specifically using a psychological manner to
understanding how my "data of life experiences" shaped my outlook on music, similar to
how digital algorithms scrape data from human usage to shape their future decisions.
Nevertheless, this is an exciting musical mindset to be a part of, and I know that my own
algorithm will only get stronger and more advanced over time.