Not many know that computers (essentially signal processing) can be used to synthesize music. Computers have been used to evaluate music performances, compose music, participate in orchestra, etc. And is a fun area to work in.
Check
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_synthesizer for electronic music instruments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_music for larger scope of computer music.
I have not seen much work in synthesizing Indian musical instruments like Santoor, Sitar, Veena, Ghatam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghatam), Tabla, etc. Much of this work is doable.
How do you test whether your synthesized ‘Ghatam’ program is as good as real ghatam? Send it to Carnatic music experts and ask them to evaluate the performance. If human experts cannot differentiate synthesized ghatam from real ghatam, you have achieved the basic solution. After that one can look at improvising the instrument further.
There is an annual Computer Music Conference. Check
for latest work in this area.
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