Pedro Ramoneda

Pedro Ramoneda, Emilia Parada-Cabaleiro, Benno Weck et al.

In this work, we explore the use and reliability of Large Language Models (LLMs) in musicology. From a discussion with experts and students, we assess the current acceptance and concerns regarding this, nowadays ubiquitous, technology. We aim to go one step further, proposing a semi-automatic method to create an initial benchmark using retrieval-augmented generation models and multiple-choice question generation, validated by human experts. Our evaluation on 400 human-validated questions shows that current vanilla LLMs are less reliable than retrieval augmented generation from music dictionaries. This paper suggests that the potential of LLMs in musicology requires musicology driven research that can specialized LLMs by including accurate and reliable domain knowledge.

Pedro Ramoneda, Vsevolod Eremenko, Alexandre D'Hooge et al.

Estimating music piece difficulty is important for organizing educational music collections. This process could be partially automatized to facilitate the educator's role. Nevertheless, the decisions performed by prevalent deep-learning models are hardly understandable, which may impair the acceptance of such a technology in music education curricula. Our work employs explainable descriptors for difficulty estimation in symbolic music representations. Furthermore, through a novel parameter-efficient white-box model, we outperform previous efforts while delivering interpretable results. These comprehensible outcomes emulate the functionality of a rubric, a tool widely used in music education. Our approach, evaluated in piano repertoire categorized in 9 classes, achieved 41.4% accuracy independently, with a mean squared error (MSE) of 1.7, showing precise difficulty estimation. Through our baseline, we illustrate how building on top of past research can offer alternatives for music difficulty assessment which are explainable and interpretable. With this, we aim to promote a more effective communication between the Music Information Retrieval (MIR) community and the music education one.

Pedro Ramoneda, Martin Rocamora, Taketo Akama

Autoregressive generative transformers are key in music generation, producing coherent compositions but facing challenges in human-machine collaboration. We propose RefinPaint, an iterative technique that improves the sampling process. It does this by identifying the weaker music elements using a feedback model, which then informs the choices for resampling by an inpainting model. This dual-focus methodology not only facilitates the machine's ability to improve its automatic inpainting generation through repeated cycles but also offers a valuable tool for humans seeking to refine their compositions with automatic proofreading. Experimental results suggest RefinPaint's effectiveness in inpainting and proofreading tasks, demonstrating its value for refining music created by both machines and humans. This approach not only facilitates creativity but also aids amateur composers in improving their work.