Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 1981 The Psycho-physiological Effects of Volume, Pitch, Harmony and Rhythm in the Development of Western Art Music Implications for a Philosophy of Music History Wolfgang Hans Stefani Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Recommended Citation Stefani, Wolfgang Hans, "The Psycho-physiological Effects of Volume, Pitch, Harmony and Rhythm in the Development of Western Art Music Implications for a Philosophy of Music History" (1981). Master's Theses. 26. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/26 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. Andrews University school o f Graduate Studies THE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VOLUME, PITCH, HARMONY AND RHYTHM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN ART MUSIC IMPLICATIONS FOR A PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC HISTORY A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment o f the Requirements fo r the Degree Master of Arts by Wolfgang Hans Martin Stefani August 1981 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VOLUME, PITCH, HARMONY AND RHYTHM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN ART MUSIC IMPLICATIONS FOR A PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC HISTORY A Thesis present in partial fulfillment of the requirements fo r the degree Master of Arts by Wolfgang Hans Martin Stefani APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Paul E. Hamel, Chairman Charles1 J.J X a / > T .. y/) . 1 1 3 / L32L Datefappcoved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT THE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VOLUME, PITCH, HARMONY AND RHYTHM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN ART MUSIC IMPLICATIONS FOR A PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC HISTORY by Wolfgang Hans Martin Stefani Chairman: Paul E. Hamel Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Department o f Music T itle : THE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VOLUME, PITCH, HARMONY AND RHYTHM: IMPLICATIONS FOR A PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC HISTORY Name of researcher: Wolfgang Hans Martin Stefani Name and degree of fa c u lty adviser: Paul E. Hamel, D.Mus.Ed. Date completed: August 1981 Problem Contemporary C hristian churches have a growing concern over music ethics. A more objective standard than personal taste and opinion is needed to evaluate and assess both a rt music and popular music. The purpose of this present study was to determine a philos­ ophy of music history on which an objective standard can be based. The study also investigated the expressive function of music. Method Two fields of investigation in music scholarship were correlated—the history of stylistic and instrumental development Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 in Western a rt music and the s c ie n tific study of the psycho- physiological effects of music on the human organism. Results Scientific research demonstrates that the musical elements of pitch, volume, harmony, and rhythm e lic it psycho-physiological responses in the human organism. Throughout the history of s t y lis t ic and instrumental development in Western a r t music these elements have been developed in such a way as to have an increas­ ingly potent impact on the human organism. Thus, a definite trend to increase the stim ulative potential o f Western a r t music was traced. This trend permeates the e n tire fa b ric o f Western a r t music development and evidence for it is exhibited on both the micro and macro levels of music development. Consistently linked to this trend is a desire for greater emotional expression, a move toward increased individualism and freedom in musical composition, and a gradual shift in orientation from sacred to secular music. Conclusion The history o f musical development in Western culture is not a s ta tic system in which a ll elements maintain a dynamic e q u ilib ­ rium. The historical facts and scientific data only allow for a directional philosophy of mus'.c history. When aligned with similar trends in the music of two ancient cultures, the process of desensi­ tization, scientific research into the psycho-physiological effects of music, and the Biblical account of the nature of man, the weight Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3 of evidence suggests that the trend is indicative of a decline. It is therefore proposed th a t the h isto rica l trend it s e lf becomes a guideline for judging the relative quality of particular stylistic features. As such it provides a consistent and objective standard by which to evaluate all music. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES . LIST OF TABLES . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . Chapter I . INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. The Problem ............................................................................................. Survey of Related Literature and Justification fo r the Study .................................................................................... Music Ethics and Contemporary Christian Churches .................................................................................... The In terrelatio n sh ip between the Psychology of Music and H istorical Musicology .................................. Philosophies of Music History .......................................... I I . THE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PITCH, VOLUME HARMONY, AND RHYTHM ON THE HUMAN ORGANISM .................................. Volume ..................................................................................................... Pitch ......................................................................................................... Harmony ..................................................................................................... Rhythm ..................................................................................................... Some General Considerations ........................................................... Music and the Conscious Decision-Making Process . The Effect of Music on Professional Musicians ................. Music and the Relative Importance of Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm .................................................................................... The Relative Effect of Instrumental and Vocal Music .................................................................................... Music and Cultural Differences ............................................... Music and Its E ffect on the Individual .............................. Perception Changes in Music ....................................................... Summary ..................................................................................................... Volume ................................................................................................. Pitch ..................................................................................................... Harmony ................................................................................................. Rhythm ................................................................................................. Some General Considerations ....................................................... i i i Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. I I I . STYLISTIC CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT IN WESTERN ART MUSIC AS RELATED TO PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT.................................... 84 Mel o d y ..................................................................................................... 85 Harmony..................................................................................................... I l l R h y th m .....................................................................................................136 The Use of Dynamics in Western Art M u s i c ..............................171 The Desire for Greater Emotional Expression ......................... 182 The A ttitude to Principles of Musical Composition .... 186 Classicism versus Romanticism....................................................... 191 Secular and Sacred Music in Western Art Music ........................ 193 Summary..................................................................................................... 196 M e lo d y ................................................................................................. 196 Harmony................................................................................................. 197 R h y th m .................................................................................................197 Other Factors ...................................................................................