A Multidimensional Scaling Analysis of Musical Style

Abstract

This study was designed to define the dominant perceptual dimensions used by listeners in classification of music excerpts by style. In addition, similarity ratings of novice listeners, defined as those with limited training and expert listeners, defined as those with advanced degrees in music and at least 5 years of teaching experience, were compared. Subjects (N = 30) rated all possible pairings of fifteen 15-second excerpts drawn from European tonal music composed between 1762 and 1896. Analysis of data from each subgroup solution yielded a three- dimensional solution. When stimulus coordinates were compared, they were found to be significantly correlated. Therefore, the data were pooled. Multidimensional scaling techniques generated a three-dimensional stimulus configuration for the pooled data. Dominant dimensions for novice and expert musicians were interpreted as historical period, complexity or amount of information, and tempo.

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