ERIC Number: EJ1265939
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Oct
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4294
EISSN: N/A
Effects of Three Common Choral Performance Movement Conditions on Acoustic and Perceptual Measures of Choral Sound
Grady, Melissa L.; Gilliam, Tianna M.
Journal of Research in Music Education, v68 n3 p286-304 Oct 2020
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of three commonly observed choral singer performance conditions (no movement, slight swaying, full-body swaying) on acoustic and perceptual measures of choral sound. We audio recorded an established university choir (N = 29 singers) performing a memorized piece while viewing the same conductor video and participating in one of the three performance conditions. We analyzed data through long-term average spectrum (LTAS), overall pitch deviation, and singer and listener (singer-listeners, expert-listeners) perceptions. LTAS results showed significant differences (p < 0.001) in spectral energy between all three conditions. The full-body swaying condition averaged a noticeable difference of 2.50 dB across the spectrum when compared to the other two conditions. Pitch analysis indicated the least overall pitch deviation during the slight swaying condition (-27.67 cents) and the most pitch deviation during the no-movement condition (-58.31 cents). Results indicated singer and singer-listener preferences for the full-body swaying condition and expert-listener preferences for the slight swaying condition. We discuss results in terms of future research and practical application for choral music educators.
Descriptors: Music Activities, Singing, Acoustics, Auditory Perception, College Students, Motion, Human Body, Preferences, Teaching Methods, Listening, Visual Stimuli, Student Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A