Music Evolution According to the F-R-J Algorithm

This paper applies the F-R-J (Fact-Rule-Judgment) algorithm to the evolution of music. It is shown that musical history independently generates a periodic tree: 7 periods, from Proto-Musical Vocalization (~2 Ma) to Digital Music (~1877–present), with 3 distinguishings (D1: rhythmic and timbral bifurcation of beat, meter, pitch, and timbre from undifferentiated vocalization; D2: harmonic and formal bifurcation through triadic harmony, counterpoint, cadential syntax, and instrument classification; D3: notational and analytical codification through twelve-tone method, Schenkerian analysis, ethnomusicology, and music information retrieval) and discrete musical structures filling combinatorial slots defined by copyright law, streaming algorithms, and institutional canon as Meta-R. λ ≈ 0 in proto-musical vocalization reflects hardwired rhythmic entrainment and vocal bonding conserved across primate species; λ increases through modal, tonal, harmonic, and electronic layers to reach maximum plasticity in the AI-generated music era where the tension between repetition (Follow: convention, genre norms) and innovation (Distinguishing: new scales, timbres, technologies) plays out at algorithmic speed.