Pilot Experiment On Verbal Attributes Classification Of Orchestral Timbres

摘要

This paper presents a listening test of an ongoing research related to timbre perception, using a set of thirty-three orchestral music excerpts that are subjectively rated using quantitative scales based on thirteen pairs of opposing verbal attributes. The aim of the experiment is to identify significant verbal descriptions potentially associated with timbre aspects of musical excerpts which explore technical aspects of contemporary music such as extended techniques and nonstandard music orchestration. Preliminary results suggest that these scales are able to describe timbral qualities in a way that is consistent among different listeners.