Music performance and the perception of key

Area of Science:

• Music Cognition
• Psychoacoustics
• Music Theory

Background:

• Understanding how musical elements influence listener perception is key to music cognition.
• Key relatedness models, like the cycle of fifths and toroidal models, predict tonal structure.
• The role of performance expression in shaping these perceptions remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of music performance expression on the perception of key movement.
• To compare listener judgments of key movement in mechanical versus performed music.
• To determine which aspects of performance expression (chords vs. voices) are most informative of key movement.

Main Methods:

• Four experiments were conducted involving listener judgments of musical sequences.
• Sequences were presented mechanically (without expression) and with performance expression.
• Modulation distance was varied, and listener judgments were compared against theoretical models.
• Modified performed sequences were used to isolate the impact of specific expressive elements.

Main Results:

• Listener judgments of key movement aligned with both cycle of fifths and toroidal models.
• Performed music showed higher correspondence with the toroidal model than mechanical versions.
• Expressive differences between voices, but not chords, were critical for accurate key movement perception.
• Performance expression was linked to perceived key movement, particularly in performed sequences.

Conclusions:

• Music performance expression, especially vocal nuances, plays a vital role in the perception of key movement.
• The toroidal model of key relatedness effectively captures perceived key relationships in performed music.
• Listener's ability to discern key movement is enhanced by the expressive qualities of a musical performance.