A new method of tonality perception research

Abstract

The methods used in tonality perception research are various, like counting the appearance rate of tonic, accumulating the duration of tones in a scale, the "probe-tone" technique, etc. However, the purpose of different methods is the same that is to try to build a model of tonality perception. The profiles of tones drawn from the above mentioned methods are quite similar. Theoretically, the cone model and tone hierarchy, the rare-intervals theory and the intervallic rivalry theory provide explanation for tonality perception processing. This study with a new method tries to explain the tonality perception from the priming effect view and tries to solve the conflicts between different theories. The results partially support the tonal hierarchy, and show that grade feature in the scale is important for tonal perception, but no rare interval effect is found; music background influences tonality perception.