Music performance and the perception of key

Author(s): Cuddy, L. L.

Journal/Book: J Exp Psychol Hum Percep Perf. 1997; 23: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 116-135.

Abstract: The effect of music performance on perceived key movement was examined. Listeners judged key movement in sequences presented without performance expression (mechanical) in Experiment 1 and with performance expression in Experiment 2. Modulation distance varied. Judgments corresponded to predictions based an the cycle of fifths and toroidal models of key relatedness, with the highest correspondence for performed versions with the toroidal model. In Experiment 3, listeners compared mechanical sequences with either performed sequences or modifications of performed sequences. Modifications preserved expressive differences between chords, but not between voices. Predictions from Experiments 1 and 2 held only for performed sequences, suggesting that differences between voices are informative of key movement. Experiment 4 confirmed that modifications did not disrupt musicality. Analyses of performances further suggested a link between performance expression and key.

Note: Article Thompson WF, York Univ, Atkinson Coll, Dept Psychol, 4700 Keele St, N York, ON M3J 1P3, CANADA

Keyword(s): CHORALE SEQUENCES; 4-VOICE HARMONY; SINGLE VOICES; MOVEMENT

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