Discoveries in musical theory suggest that the rules for creating harmonious sounds are more flexible than previously believed. Recent research indicates that people’s preferences for harmonies are influenced by the timbre of the notes, which is the unique sound quality produced by different instruments. This study, published in Nature Communications on February 19, demonstrates that the recipe for a beautiful harmony is more complex than a simple set of mathematical relationships. It also sheds light on why diverse musical scales have developed in different cultures around the world, as each culture’s instruments produce distinct timbres. This research highlights the significant role of cultural influences on people’s musical tastes, particularly in relation to the types of instruments used in different cultures.
2024-03-21 07:00:00
Source from www.sciencenews.org