The influence of verbal presentation on musical perception

Various structures of contemporary music put high demands on the listeners. Often, a composition is based on the principles that could be barely recognizable by listening. This study examines whether the verbal presentation helps the listeners with perceiving of music. Three groups of twenty respondents had to listen three compositions with three different verbal presentations (imaginative title, structure title, neutral title, analysis). The captivation of the listeners was compared, the evaluation of fulfilment plan and other issues. The results showed that evocation of visual and dramatic ideas was independent to the verbal presentations. Evaluation of compositions also showed the independence on the type of title or on the analysis. However, it does not mean, that the verbal presentation does not influence the perception of music. Qualitative scale questions revealed, that the effect of the name and analysis on listening was very profound. The previous acoustic experience has a far greater influence on the acceptation of music