GROUP TASK #11: Asymmetrical Dynamics

Task

Research in the field of auditory attention suggests that listeners are more sensitive to crescendos than to diminuendos. In contrast to diminuendos, crescendos are easier to perceive and recognize. Gradual or long diminuendos are especially likely to escape the listener’s attention. Diminuendos are more noticeable if they are rapid rather than gradual. This asymmetry suggests that, if a composer wants the listener to attend to diminuendos as much as crescendos, then the diminuendos should typically be faster (shorter).

Hypothesis

In this task, we will test the hypothesis that

H1. Musical diminuendos tend to be shorter than crescendos..

Operationalization

We will operationalize the terms of the hypothesis as follows:

“diminuendos”	any hairpin diminuendo marking
“crescendos”	any hairpin crescendo marking
“shorter”	the horizontal length of the hairpin marking measured in centimeters; if the hairpin spans two or more systems, the summed length of the markings from start to finish

Sampling

For this task we will use a systematic matched-pairs sampling method. Start in a random location in the scores (“M”) section of the Music & Dance Library. For every volume, flip to a random page and identify the first hairpin crescendo you encounter. Measure and record it’s length. Continue forward through the score until you encounter the next occurrence of a hairpin diminuendo. Measure and record it’s length. For the next volume, flip to a random page and identify the first hairpin crescendo you encounter. Measure and record it’s length. To find it’s matched pair, continue backward through the score until you encounter the previous occurrence of a hairpin diminuendo. Measure and record it’s length. Alternate in this way, moving forward and backward from random hairpin crescendos to locate a matching hairpin diminuendo. Complete the accompanying data sheet. Note that each crescendo should be paired with a neighboring diminuendo.

Rationale

This task demonstrates that it is often possible to test theories empirically with a minimum of technical equipment or facilities.