Measuring the interaction between bassoon and horn players in achieving timbre blend

Abstract

Our study investigates the interactive relationship between bassoon and horn players in achieving timbre blend during musical performance. The interaction is studied in a behavioral experiment, measuring the timbral adjustments performers employ. Several timbre descriptors serve as acoustic measures, quantifying global and formant-based spectral-envelope properties. Furthermore, musicians’ self-assessment of their performances is measured through behavioral ratings. The performances are investigated across four factors, i.e., room acoustics, communication directivity, musical voicing, and leading vs. accompanying roles. Findings from ANOVAs suggest that differences in role assignments and communication directivity between performers lead to timbral adjustments. These effects are more pronounced for horn than for bassoon and performer interdependencies appear to be most important for unison voicing.