What is it about?
We examined whether the instrument (for example, a harp, a piano, or a tuba), the pitch in which the instruments are played (low, medium, high), or both would influence how listeners would rate the gender of the musical instruments. We found that both the instrument and the pitch level influenced gender ratings. Instruments typically considered feminine (such as flute) were rated feminine, while instruments typically considered masculine (such as tuba) were rated masculine. Importantly, high pitch level resulted in more feminine ratings – and low pitch level in more masculine ratings – across all musical instruments.
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Why is it important?
These findings have theoretical implications regarding the roles of pitch and instrument in the ratings of musical instruments, and these results offer new clarity to music educators and researchers about the way instruments are – and can be – perceived. Although further testing in naturalistic settings is encouraged, the results provide initial support for the notion that educators can play a part in ameliorating gender stereotyping of musical instruments – at least to some degree.
Perspectives
This study sets the stage for future investigations - including studies conducted in naturalistic settings, and investigations examining differences in age longitudinally and for sustained perceptual shifts.
Associate Dean for Faculty; Professor Conor T McLennan
Cleveland State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Masculine harps and feminine horns: Timbre and pitch level influence gender ratings of musical instruments, Psychology of Music, November 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0305735617734629.
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