Vanderbilt University Trombone Studio

Lawrence Borden - Master's Thesis Abstract

 

Preferences for Major Triads Tuned in Just Intonation AND Equal Temperament

Thesis under the direction of Professor Robert Sherwood

 

If given a choice, which would listeners prefer – major triads tuned in Equal Temperament or major triads tuned in Just Intonation? To answer this question subjects were presented with carefully constructed major triad pairs whose only difference was their temperament. Chord pairs were presented to subjects across four octaves to determine preference relative to pitch height.

It was expected that listeners would generally prefer one system over the other due to effects of acculturation, training and experience. Instead, preference for temperament was found to be directly related to pitch height. Preference for Equal Temperament was found in the lowest tested octave and a preference for Just Intonation was found in the highest tested octave. This effect is explained by a competition for “pleasantness” between the presence or absence of beating (and pseudo-vibrato effects) and basilar membrane masking effects.

 

Entire thesis available as a PDF file by clicking here.