Musical Mode and Estimation of Time

Abstract

This study assesses whether different musical modes can influence the subjective estimation of time. The three musical stimuli, each of 64.3 sec. duration, had the same harmonic structure, although each was constructed in a different mode: Ionian (major), Aeolian (minor), or Locrian (diminished) mode. Study participants were 108 undergraduate students (56 men and 52 women) in Education (n = 41), Psychology (n = 32), or Law (n = 35), ages 17 to 35 years and nonmusicians, who were divided into three groups by the musical stimuli presented. Participants listened to the stimulus, made a temporal estimation of the stimulus duration, and provided a written verbal rating of mood state. Analysis of variance indicated the Locrian stimulus was estimated as longer than the Aeolian and Ionian stimuli which suggested the dissonant (unpleasant) stimuli was associated with a longer estimated duration than consonant (pleasant) stimuli.