Visual influences on perceived size of sung intervals

William Forde Thompson, Frank. A. Russo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The ability to perceive melodic intervals as larger or smaller in size is fundamental to our experience of melody and reflects a basic skill of music listening: relative pitch. Although interval size may be described by the ratio of fundamental frequencies involved, perceptions of interval size depend on
several factors, including timbre, musical training, and pitch direction (Russo & Thompson, under review). In this study, we evaluated whether facial expressions in performance influence listeners perceptions of melodic interval size. Facial expressions of singers primarily reflect motor constraints of vocal production, but they also affect our experience of music. They clarify or emphasize emotional aspects of the music, provide cues for segmentation, and highlight significant musical events. Seventeen participants heard video recordings of sung melodic intervals and judged the size of those intervals. Small (2 semitones) and large (9 semitones) melodic intervals were presented in ascending and descending pitch directions. Congruent pairs consisted of audio and video recordings of the same interval. Incongruent pairs consisted of audio and video recordings of different intervals. Visual cues significantly influenced judgments. Small intervals were judged to be larger when paired with a video
recording of a large interval than when paired with a video recording of a small interval. Conversely, large intervals were judged to be smaller when paired with a video recording of a small interval than when paired with a video recording of a small interval. We discuss visual cues available in the production of small and large intervals.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 8th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition (ICMPC8)
EditorsS.D. Lipscomb, R. Ashley, R.O. Gjerdingen, P. Webster
Place of PublicationAdelaide
PublisherCausal Productions
Pages804-805
ISBN (Print)1876346507
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

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