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The perception of melodic consonance: an acoustical and neurophysiological explanation based on the overtone series

Anderson, Jared E. (2004) The perception of melodic consonance: an acoustical and neurophysiological explanation based on the overtone series. [Preprint] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The melodic consonance of a sequence of tones is explained using the overtone series: the overtones form "flow lines" that link the tones melodically; the strength of these flow lines determines the melodic consonance. This hypothesis admits of psychoacoustical and neurophysiological interpretations that fit well with the place theory of pitch perception. The hypothesis is used to create a model for how the auditory system judges melodic consonance, which is used to algorithmically construct melodic sequences of tones.

Item Type:Preprint
Keywords:auditory cortex, auditory system, algorithmic composition, automated composition, consonance, dissonance, harmonics, Helmholtz, melodic consonance, melody, musical acoustics, neuroacoustics, neurophysiology, overtones, pitch perception, psychoacoustics, tonotopy
Subjects:Psychology > Psychophysics
Neuroscience > Neurophysiology
Psychology > Perceptual Cognitive Psychology
ID Code:3513
Deposited By:Anderson, Jared
Deposited On:23 Mar 2004
Last Modified:12 Sep 2007 17:51

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