Instrument timbre and trait attribution.

Abstract

An instrument's timbre is one of the determining factors in the decision to play it. Previous studies have shown gender stereotypes of certain instruments, and personality differences among musicians playing specific instruments. The present study was conducted with 2 aims: first, to examine whether nonmusicians hold the same stereotypes of instrumentalists as musicians; second, to examine whether hearing a melody in different instrumental timbres influences trait attribution to the assumed performers. To examine the first question, 26 nonmusicians and 22 musicians (control groups) rated fiautists, trumpet players, and violinists on a list of 10 personality traits. Nonmusicians rated trumpet players as less introverted and sensitive than flautists and violinists. Musicians rated trumpet players as tougher than flautists and violinists, and violinists were rated as more egocentric than trumpet players or flautists. In the second phase, 80 participants (experimental groups) rated fictional musicians after hearing the same melody played in the 3 timbres, presented in different orders. Results show that trumpet timbre led to significantly different attributions from flute or violin. Trumpet players were generally rated more extraverted, friendly, tough, and assertive, and less introverted, anxious, sensitive, and shy. Einally, comparisons between control and experimental groups showed significant differences in ratings. Results demonstrate the strong effect of hearing instruments' timbre on trait attribution. However, these effects were different for the different instruments. Whereas nonmusicians do not hold the same stereotypes of instrumentalists as musicians, hearing a melody in the 3 different timbres led to ratings in the direction of gender stereotypes.

Masculine harps and feminine horns: Timbre and pitch level influence gender ratings of musical instruments

“…Based on a survey of middle school band students, Fortney, Boyle, and DeCarbo (1993) found further evidence of a gender–timbre connection such that, “Females tend to play and indicate preference for flute and clarinet, whereas males tend to play and indicate preference for trumpet, percussion, and low brass instruments” (p. 38). Moreover, Ziv, Ayash, and Ornstein (2013) concluded that timbre perception activates, influences, and enhances associations that lead to trait attributions in the direction of gender stereotypes found in previous studies of musical instruments.…”