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Thu, January 30, 2025
Wed, January 29, 2025

Using network science, study shows music has become less complex


Published on 2025-01-29 14:02:32 - MSN
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  • A team of Italian computer scientists from Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Padova reports that network science can be used to measure the complexity of a piece of music, allowing for comparison between genres.

A recent study published in the journal "Scientific Reports" has utilized network science to analyze the complexity of music over the past 70 years, revealing that music has become less complex. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Barcelona examined over 12,000 songs from 1950 to 2020, focusing on aspects like pitch, timbre, and rhythm. They found that modern music tends to use fewer chord changes, simpler melodies, and a more uniform sound, which could be attributed to the influence of technology and the music industry's push for more accessible, commercially viable songs. This simplification might cater to listeners' preferences for easily digestible music, potentially shaped by platforms like Spotify and the rise of streaming services. However, the study also notes that while complexity has decreased, this does not necessarily equate to a decline in musical quality or creativity, but rather reflects changes in musical trends and production techniques.

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[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/general/using-network-science-study-shows-music-has-become-less-complex/ar-AA1y4svK ]
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