Timbral Ear Training

ISBN-13: 9783639151589 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 104 str.

René Quesnel

Opis

Timbre is a sound quality parameter that depends to alarge extent on spectral balance. Evaluation andcontrol of timbre require specific listeningabilities and is performed by an increasing number ofindividuals involved in sound recording, composition,and sound design. This book presents acomputer-assisted training method to develop memoryfor timbre, sensitivity to timbre changes, andeffective listening strategies requiring disciplinedauditory attention. The method allows individualpractice and customization of training tasks.Performance markers are compiled and used forassessing skill level achieved by listeners. Alistening experiment involving the adjustment ofmultiple peaks and dips in a sounds spectrum ispresented, in which the performance of a group ofexperienced audio professionals was compared with agroup of student subjects with comparatively littlelistening experience but who were trained with thedescribed method for a period of 6 months. Resultsindicate that overall the experimental student groupoutperformed the control group of professionals.Suggestions for further improvements of the trainingmethod and performance level assessment are proposed.

O autorze

Dr René Quesnel is teaching technical ear training in the
graduate Sound Recording program at McGill University. He earned
degrees in Music, Sound Recording, and Music Technology. Dr
Quesnel is a member of the Audio Engineering Society and a
researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Music
Media and Technology (CIRMMT) in Montréal.