An Analysis of String Instrumentalists' Performed Intonational Adjustments Within an Ascending and Descending Pitch Set

David W. Sogin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe string instrumentalists' intonational performances within the duration of selected pitches. Additional aspects of the study included the effects of directionality of performed pitch sets, intonational tendencies associated with vibrato versus no vibrato, and differences in intonational performance among specific instrument groups. Forty-eight string players were randomly selected as subjects. Each subject performed pitch sets ascending and descending with vibrato and without vibrato. Performance tones were tape-recorded and analyzed for the highest and lowest points (pitch location 1 and pitch location 2) in order of occurrence within each tone according to cents sharp or flat relative to equal temperament. Results indicated that pitch location 2 was performed significantly sharper than pitch location 1; however, a significant interaction was found among pitch location, pitch set direction, and individual tones. Descending pitch sets were performed significantly sharper than ascending pitch sets, which were also sharp. All stringed instrument groups performed sharp relative to equal temperament.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-111
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Research in Music Education
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Music

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