source file: m1476.txt Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 08:56:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Another from Hill From: John Chalmers Forwarded from Dave Hill (ascend11@aol.com) by John Chalmers Second post: Listening Surveys EQT vs MT piano, etc. In listening tests which I have given to both high school summer music campers and entering undergraduate music students - several hundred individuals in total - I have found that preferences between EQT and 1/4 MT versions of simple pieces of music run (with much variation) about 30% MT, 40% EQT, and 30% equal preference. Some express very strong opinions in favor of MT, some express very strong opinions in favor of EQT, and some indicate that they find very little difference in sound between the differently tuned versions. The majority of those whom I've tested have felt that the difference which the tuning system makes to the sound of a performance is appreciable. Many have expressed surprise, even astonishment, that a factor such as tuning system could make such a difference to the sound of music performed on a piano. I have found indications of consistently different percentage breakdowns for different subgroups among those whom I^Rve tested. Among some subgroups, majorities preferred some MT versions. I suspect that the 30 MT, 40 EQT, 30 equal preference breakdown is specific to the group I've tested and that different breakdowns would be found for different populations. Also, most of those whom I^Rve tested had never heard music performed on a piano in 1/4 MT temperament before, or in anything other than EQT. I believe that with increased exposure, greater percentages, I believe well over 50%, would prefer the sound of 1/4 MT music for arrangements which could be performed in that tuning. I believe that despite all uncertainties, it is safe to say that surprisingly wide differences between individuals with respect to their reactions to the sound of piano music in 1/4 MT will be found. I think most of us find the idea that something which sounds pleasing and harmonious to us sounds unpleasant and distorted to someone next to us hearing the same thing to be disturbing and counterintuitive. Still, these differences keep turning up in many different situations. I once tested a total of about 30 individuals with contrasting phrases, one in an artificial tuning half way between EQT and JI and the other in an artificial tuning quote OVERTEMPERED unquote 50% beyond EQT. In this case, 80% of those tested preferred the tuning half way between EQT and JI, 10% indicated equal preference, and 10% indicated preference for the overtempered versions. Many said that the overtempered phrases sounded really irritating - made them angry. The balance for EQT vs the novel 1/4 MT was much more even.