The Aural Perception of Nontxaditional Chords in Selected Theoretical Relationships: A Computer-Generated Experiment

Abstract

The nontraditional chords in this study represent relationships defined by Allen Forte and Charles Lord. These relationships may be viewed as various degrees of similarity in pitch and interval structure between two chords. This experiment attempted to determine any correlation that may exist between theoretical and aural relatedness. The PLATO computer system presented subjects ( N = 198) a randomly ordered series of 39 experimental items. In each item, two pairs of chords were presented with one pair theoretically more similar. Listeners were asked to choose “which pair sounds more alike.” Chi-square calculations demonstrated nonsignificant differences in responses by subjects with varied backgrounds and levels of education. Confidence intervals, calculated for each item, demonstrated five significant levels of response, three of which were in accord with the theories. The results suggest that intervallic characteristics, a principal basis for the pedagogy of atonal music, are not a primary attribute in our perception of atonal music.