Unit 8.2

Question 1

Meyer vs. Huron - What’s the difference?

Answer 1

Meyer’s theory is deterministic
- basic musical forms will fundamentally lead to a certain kind of expectation
Huron’s theory is statistical
- statistical regularities in music based on the probability that a given context leads to a given outcome
- expectations formed based on our experiences
- expectations are more flexible

Question 2

Meyer vs. Huron - What’s the difference
Large ascending pitch EXAMPLE - explain

Answer 2

Ex. large ascending pitch leap followed by a smaller interval in the opposite direction
MEYER: tendency to see this as an inherent property of music
HURON: byproduct of a ‘statistical regression to the mean’ aka probability makes it more likely (more likely for a smaller interval in the direction of the average)

Question 3

Musical Associations - referential meaning

Answer 3

Music that stands for something outside of the music itself. The composer is trying to elicit an image or feeling from the listener.
- 1812 overture: firecrackers were set off to refer to cannons
- xylophone was used in fossil section to make it sound like bones

Question 4

Penderecki: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima (threnody = wailing sound)

Answer 4

• wasn’t composed with the association in mind, but once it was heard by others, it became associated with the event
• specific sounds are used to resemble real-life sounds (bombs, sirens, etc.)

Question 5

Examples of iconic meaning

Answer 5

• national anthems are a universal associations
• maple syrup is associated with canada