AccScience Publishing / AC / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ac.6238
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The development of an improvising machine in ubiquitous music environments

Felippe Barros1* ,  Leandro Costalonga2
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1 Graduate Program in Arts, Center for the Arts, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Brazil
2 Department of Computing and Electronics, Federal University of Espírito Santo, São Mateus, Espírito Santo, Brazil
AC, 6238 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.6238
Received: 18 November 2024 | Revised: 12 May 2025 | Accepted: 12 May 2025 | Published online: 27 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ubimus Cross-Cultural Approaches to Interaction and Creativity )
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between design choices in improvising machines and the ideological foundations of the ubiquitous music (ubimus) movement practices. To this end, we developed a free/libre open-source interactive system in Pure Data, named “Engenhoca”. The system was initially developed to evaluate the potential for learning free improvisation through interaction with improvising machines during the social distancing period of 2020. It offers various advantages, including ease of use, support for both audio and symbolic output, and network communication possibilities—making this system especially suitable for inclusion in ubimus activities. Beyond its educational role, the system is now envisioned for broader applications, such as electronic music composition, digital instrument extension, and collaborative remote creativity. Its a free software license and do-it-yourself orientation may inspire musicians to explore the creative potential of decentralized technological interaction—a perspective that is especially relevant in an era where intelligent tools, often poorly understood and difficult to control, are becoming increasingly pervasive. In conclusion, Engenhoca highlights how open-source tools can support creative, collaborative free improvisation. Its adaptable design and free software license encourage musicians to modify their systems to fit their individual needs and creative experiences, offering an alternative to artificial intelligence solutions. This study provides a preliminary theoretical foundation for the future development of accessible, interactive music systems suitable for diverse creative practices.

Keywords
Computer creativity
Free improvisation
Improvising machines
Interactive music systems
Ubimus
Funding
This research was supported by the Foundation for Research and Innovation Support of Espírito Santo (grant number: 187/2022).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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