A Method for Composing Simple Traditional Music by Computer A method is described for composing musical rounds by computer. This method uses some music theory plus additional heuristics. Fundamental to the method is a set of productions together with sets of applicability rules and weight rules which operate on the productions deciding when and to what extent they are available for use. Several rounds generated by the computer implementation of the method are presented. Generally, the resultant music sounds mediocre to the professional although usually pleasing to the layman. It appears that full-blown music theory is not needed for rounds--all the hardware required for structural levels is not necessary for these pieces. The author has tried to address both musicians and computer scientists. CACM November, 1974 Rader, G. M. artificial intelligence, heuristic programming, models of cognitive processes, computer music, computer composition, music theory, formal languages, probabilistic grammars 3.44 3.65 5.23 CA741104 JB January 16, 1978 10:35 AM 2580 5 2580 2580 5 2580 2580 5 2580