Model

Abstract

The quantitative relationship between physical and experiential properties of tones, chords and progressions is simulated by means of a model. The input to the model comprises either the amplitude spectra or the musical notes of each tone or chord. Evaluation of masking effects leads to an estimate of the audibility of each pure tone component. The perception of complex tones is simulated by matching the pitches of audible pure tone components against those of a template, representing the audible components of a typical complex tone. Calculated audibilities of pure and complex tone components are used to estimate the “tonalness” and “multiplicity” of a simultaneity, and the salience of each tone sensation. Calculated salience values enable the evaluation of pitch commonality and pitch distance between sequential sounds. These are combined to model the results of pitch analysis and tone/chord similarity experiments.