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Abstract

This project represents an initial investigation into utilizing the two-dimensional Continuous Response Digital Interface (CRDI) to track listener perceptions related to the possible relationships between focus of attention to musical elements and perceived musical tension. The two-dimensional CRDI software creates an environment in which the listener can track their perceptions on two planes simultaneously. Volunteer undergraduate and graduate music majors (N = 60) listened to Mozart’s Variations (12) for Piano in C Major on ‘Ah vous dirai-je maman’, K 265 while manipulating a computer mouse. The cursor on the screen could be moved horizontally along a continuum to indicate focus of attention to either melody or harmony while simultaneously moving along a vertical axis tracking the amount of musical tension being perceived by the listener. Overall, as listeners attended more to harmony, their perception of tension appeared to increase. As they attended more to the melody, their perception of tension appeared to decrease with some exceptions that may relate to other musical elements. Further research using this technology is recommended.

Centres d’attention autour de la mélodie ou de l’harmonie et la perception de la tension musicale: Une étude exploratoire

Ce projet présente une étude d’exploration visant à utiliser l’outil bidimensionnel qu’est le CRDI (Continuous Response Digital Interface) afin de repérer la perception des auditeurs et d’y entrevoir la possible relation entre le centre d’attention des éléments musicaux et la tension perçue. Le logiciel bidimensionnel CRDI crée un environnement dans lequel les perceptions de l’auditeur sont évaluées simultanément à deux niveaux. Des participants inscrits au premier et au deuxième cycle en musique (N = 60) ont écouté des variations (12) de l’œuvre pour piano en do majeur de Mozart «Ah vous dirai-je maman» K265 tout en manipulant la souris de l’ordinateur. Le curseur de l’écran se déplaçait à l’horizontale de façon à indiquer si les centres d’attention étaient à l’endroit de la mélodie ou à celui de l’harmonie. Le curseur se déplaçait également à l’axe vertical afin de déterminer la quantité de tension musicale perçue par l’auditeur. En somme, lorsque les auditeurs se concentraient davantage sur l’harmonie, leur perception de la tension augmentait. Lorsqu’ils prêtaient davantage attention à la mélodie, à quelques exceptions près, leur perception de la tension décroissait. Ces exceptions pourraient être en lien avec d’autres éléments musicaux. Des recherches futures qui utiliseraient cette technologie sont recommandées.

Die Aufmerksamkeitsrichtung auf Melodik oder Harmonik und die Wahrnehmung musikalischer Spannung. Eine Explorationsstudie

Dieses Projekt stellt eine erste Untersuchung zur Verwendung des zweidimensionalen Continuous Response Digital Interface (CRDI) vor, um mögliche Beziehungen zwischen der Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierung auf musikalische Elemente und der Wahrnehmung musikalischer Spannung aufzudecken. Die zweidimensionale CRDI-Software erzeugt eine Umgebung, in der Hörer ihre Wahrnehmung auf zwei Ebenen gleichzeitig verfolgen können. Undergraduate und graduate Musikstudenten (N = 60) hörten Mozarts Variationen über “Ah vous dirai-je maman” KV 265, während sie eine Computer-Maus bedienten. Der Cursor konnte auf dem Bildschirm horizontal entlang eines Continuums bewegt werden, um die Beachtung von Melodie oder Harmonik anzuzeigen, während er gleichzeitig auf einer vertikalen Achse bewegt wurde, um den Grad der musikalisch erlebten Spannung darzustellen. Insgesamt zeigte sich, dass das Empfinden der Spannung stieg, wenn die Versuchspersonen mehr auf die Harmonik achteten, während es bei der melodischen Aufmerksamkeit mit einigen Ausnahmen, die möglicherweise von anderen musikalischen Elementen abhängen, abzunehmen schien. Weitere Untersuchungen mit dieser Technologie werden empfohlen.

Atención a la melodía y la armonía y percepción de la tensión musical: Un estudio exploratorio

Este proyecto representa una de las primeras investigaciones que utiliza el Interfaz Digital de Respuesta Continua (IDRC) para seguir las percepciones auditivas relacionadas con las posibles relaciones entre los focos de atención a elementos musicales y la tensión musical percibida. El programa del IDRC bidimensional crea un entorno en el que el oyente puede seguir sus percepciones simultáneamente sobre dos planos. Estudiantes de música de grado y postgrado (N = 60) escucharon las Variaciones de Mozart (12) para piano en do mayor sobre “Ah vous dirai-je maman”, K. 265, mientras manejaban un ratón de ordenador. El cursor podía moverse horizontalmente a lo largo de un continuo para indicar el nivel de atención tanto a la melodía como a la armonía mientras que, al mismo tiempo, podía moverse a lo largo del eje vertical haciendo un seguimiento de la cantidad de tensión musical percibida por el oyente. En general, cuando los oyentes le prestaban más atención a la armonía, su percepción de la tensión parecía incrementarse. Cuando era a la melodía, su percepción de la tensión parecía decrecer, con algunas excepciones que pueden relacionarse con otros elementos musicales. Sería recomendable hacer posteriores investigaciones utilizando esta tecnología.

Keywords

CRDI focus of attention harmony melody music complexity tension

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Focus of attention to melody or harmony and perception of music tension: An exploratory study

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