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Your search keyword '"Woolhouse, Matthew"' showing total 3 results
Start Over Author "Woolhouse, Matthew" Topic music theory
3 results on '"Woolhouse, Matthew"'

1. To The Editor.

Author

WOOLHOUSE, MATTHEW and CROSS, IAN

Subjects
*LETTERS to the editor, *MUSIC theory
Abstract

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article about the Interval-Cycle Proximity (ICP) hypothesis.

Published
2011

2. Modes on the Move: Interval Cycles and the Emergence of Major-Minor Tonality.

Author

WOOLHOUSE, MATTHEW

Subjects
*TONALITY, *MUSICAL pitch, *MUSICAL intervals & scales, *MUSIC theory, *MUSICAL acoustics & physics, *PREDICTION models, *COGNITION
Abstract

The issue of the emergence of major-minor tonality is addressed by recourse to a novel pitch grouping process, referred to as interval cycle proximity (ICP). An interval cycle is the minimum number of (additive) iterations of an interval that are required for octave-related pitches to be re-stated, a property conjectured to be responsible for tonal attraction. It is hypothesised that the actuation of ICP in cognition, possibly in the latter part of the sixteenth century, led to a hierarchy of tonal attraction which favoured certain pitches over others, ostensibly the tonics of the modern major and minor system. An ICP model is described that calculates the level of tonal attraction between adjacent musical elements. The predictions of the model are shown to be consistent with music-theoretic accounts of common practice period tonality, including Piston's Table of Usual Root Progressions. The development of tonality is illustrated with the historical quotations of commentators from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, and can be characterised as follows. At the beginning of the seventeenth century multiple 'finals' were possible, each associated with a different interval configuration (mode). By the end of the seventeenth century, however, only two interval configurations were in regular use: those pertaining to the modern majorminor key system. The implications of this development are discussed with respect interval cycles and their hypothesised effect within music. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2010
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3. The Effects of Time and Events on the Perception of Nonadjacent Key Relationships

Author

Spyra, Joanna, Woolhouse, Matthew, and Psychology

Subjects
memory, probe cadence, modulation, tonal loop, nonadjacency, number of events, tonal perception, nonadjacent key relationship, music cognition, music theory, time, working memory
Abstract

Includes an exploration of working memory models from a musical standpoint. A musical key can only be retained in memory for approximately 20 seconds. However, other factors may be influencing the strength of this retention. The current study tests the influence of time and number of events (chords) in an intervening key on the deterioration in memory of a nonadjacent key. Stimuli first established a major key using traditional harmonic rules, then modulated to an intervening key that was either 6 or 9 seconds in duration and formed from either 4 or 6 chords. Stimuli then returned to the original key in a probe cadence. Participants were asked to rate this cadence in terms of its sense of closure. It was revealed that there is a significant negative effect of time on the probe cadence though no effect of number of events was found. This suggests that spending more time in an intervening key, and not the number of intervening chords, diminishes the memory of the original key. However, it is unclear from this study where in memory the nonadjacent key relationship is processed. Relevant literature is examined to form a working hypothesis with the goal of strengthening future studies with a capable foundation in memory research and theories. Thesis Master of Science (MSc) We have a very short memory span for musical keys. Humans can only remember a key for approximately 20 seconds after it’s changed. However, it is unclear whether it is time spent away from the key that makes us forget or if it is the number of chords we heard in a second, interrupting key. The current study tests this distinction using nonadjacent key relationships—in which a key is established, a different key interrupts for a random amount of time and number of chords before returning to the original key for two target chords. Results confirmed previous findings as there was a significant effect of time on memory. However, there was no effect of number of chords, suggesting that it is the length of time spent away from a key, not number of chords that has an effect on memory.

Published
2017

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