Voice Denumerability in Polyphonic Music of Homogeneous Timbres

摘要: An experiment was carried out to determine limitations in listeners' abilities identify the number of concurrently sounding voices polyphonic textures. As concurrent a musical texture increases, expert musicians are both slower respond addition new and more prone incorrectly present. For textures employing relatively homogeneous timbres, accuracy identifying drops markedly at point where three-voice is augmented four voices. Beyond three voices, confusions become commonplace; most frequent type confusion underestimation Voice entries were found be perceived easily than voice exits, outer identified inner Compared with nonmusician subject, accurate consistent denumerating voices—suggesting that an awareness textural density may musically relevant skill.