Bridges, Brian
(2012)
Towards a Perceptually–grounded
Theory of Microtonality: issues in
sonority, scale construction and
auditory perception and cognition.
PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
This thesis engages with the topic of microtonal music through a discussion of relevant
music theories and compositional practice alongside the investigation of theoretical
perspectives drawn from psychology. Its aim is to advance a theory of microtonal music
which is informed by current models of auditory perception and music cognition. In
doing so, it treats a range of microtonal approaches and philosophies ranging from
duplex subdivision of tempered scales to the generation of intervals in just–intonation–
based schemes, including systems derived directly from the structure of the harmonic
series. It contains an analytical survey of case studies relating to twentieth–century
microtonal approaches, focussing on the conceptual and perceptual implications of the
use of such materials by these early microtonal practitioners, through engagement with
their stated theories and compositional practice. Through this process, it begins to
advance components of a perceptually and cognitively–informed theory of
microtonality, which is then consolidated by a series of theory–based chapters which
investigate the phenomenon from the perspective of current theories within the field of
psychology. The theories which are thus advanced are further informed by a component
of compositional practice in the research process, which is used as a vehicle to refine
and extend them. The result is a comprehensive theory of microtonal music which
incorporates contexts drawn from ecological and embodied perspectives on perceptual
and cognitive processes.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(PhD)
|
| Additional Information: |
Audio Examples available with hardbound copy on request from the Library for a period of 3 hour loan or via InterLibrary Loans. |
| Keywords: |
Perceptually–grounded Theory; Microtonality; sonority; scale construction; auditory perception; cognition; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > Music |
| Item ID: |
6737 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
06 Jan 2016 17:02 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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