Theoretical Resemblance versus Perceived Closeness: Explaining Estimations of Pentachords by Abstract Properties of Pentad Classes

Abstract

This study examined connections between pitch-class settheoretical concepts, set-classes, and perceptual estimations of chords derived from the set-classes. The study had two aims, the first of which was to compare theoretical resemblance with perceived closeness. Another aim was to illuminate factors relevant for perceptual estimations of both single chords and chord pairs and compare these factors with abstract properties of set-classes. A number of factors were found. The degree of consonance of the test chords was the most important one, the second one being the chords’ association with some traditional tonal chord. The chords’ association with the wholetone collection was the third factor guiding closeness ratings, while the combination of the span and register of the chords was the third factor guiding single-chord ratings. A very important factor guiding closeness ratings was the number of common pitches between two chords. When the factors found in the analyses were compared with set-class properties, a clear connection was found. Additionally, theoretical resemblance was found to correlate with closeness estimations. The results of the study can be interpreted to indicate that the abstract properties of set-classes have an effect on the characteristics of chords derived from them, and these chordal characteristics have effects on the subjects’ estimations.