Effects of Experience on Tempo Preference for Selected Wind Band Masterworks

Abstract

We conducted two studies to complement extant tempo preference work. In Study 1, we explored preferred tempos for excerpts from selected wind band masterworks of band directors and undergraduate instrumental music majors. Participants used a sort-and-rank procedure to indicate tempo preferences of six excerpts. Preferences for four of the pieces were substantially the same: There was no difference between original tempos and the 6% increase in tempo. These results comport with research showing increased preference for faster tempos. For the other two excerpts, listeners preferred original and decreased tempos. These results parallel earlier research showing that pieces heard as already fast were preferred with slightly slower tempi. However, in one example, music majors preferred the faster tempi, demonstrating that when examples are unfamiliar, faster tempi are preferred. In Study 2, collegiate and secondary school band directors tapped preferred tempi of four works used in Study 1. Results agree with extant literature: Regression to moderate tempi was demonstrated by participants. Conductors tapped slow examples faster and fast examples slower relative to expert baselines. Tapping performance preferences were consistent with the listening preference task. Awareness of these inclinations may inform musical decisions made by students and band directors when rehearsing and conducting.

Effects of Model Recordings on Undergraduate Conductors’ Tempo Selections

“…Among the nine comparisons in our study for the initial tapping task (3 pieces × 3 conditions), tapped tempos for five of them were not significantly different than the tempos participants had heard (from model recordings or from a metronome). Of the remaining four comparisons where significant differences were found, three of them were for decreased-tempo model recordings, where participants' comparatively faster tapping suggests that they felt the recording they heard was indeed too slow, a finding consistent with earlier research (Confredo et al, 2021;Geringer, 2010;Geringer et al, 2016;Yarbrough, 1987). Substantial variability among participants' tapping leads us to speculate whether there are particular characteristics or capacities among listeners that render them more or less amenable to the influence of an externally presented tempo.…”

“…We opted to use 10% tempo manipulations because they were outside the established JND ranges for tempo (Collyer et al, 1994;Drake & Botte, 1993;Friberg & Sundberg, 1995;Povel, 1981), so we believed that these would be large enough to be noticed but not so large to sound unfitting for the chosen musical excerpts. Additionally, these tempo manipulations were similar in magnitude to other tempo perception studies (Confredo et al, 2021;Geringer & Madsen, 1987;Madsen et al, 1984).…”

“…Similar to the rationale given by Confredo et al (2021), these performances were selected because they (a) were made by the same ensemble under the same conductor, (b) were consistent in their high-quality production value, and (c) were developed as reference recordings for conductors of all levels. These similarities contributed to the content validity of our music selections.…”

“…At the conclusion of that 5-minute period, we asked participants to tap their preferred tempo for 12 beats using a pencil on the desk they had used to study the excerpt. We designed this tapping task for standardization purposes and to ensure that participants committed to their tempo selection-a practice consistent with Confredo et al (2021). This process was repeated for the other two excerpts, and we recorded all tapping trials using the Voice Memo application on our iPhones.…”

Evaluation of the goodness of musical tempo

“…The well-known rock excerpts were preferred at their original recorded tempo, the originally fast samples of other styles (jazz, western, classical, and Brazilian popular) were preferred at slower tempi, and originally slow tempo samples were preferred at faster tempi. In Confredo et al (2021), the relationship with music proficiency was investigated. The music majors preferred the faster tempi, but the band director preferred the original one.…”