An exploration of timbral semantics related to the pipe organ

Timbral semantics is the study of adjectives relating to timbre. This thesis takes existing research on timbral adjectives relating to single source sounds and applies it to the pipe organ, a complex multi-source musical instrument. A substantial literature review suggested an analysis/synthesis methodology, and a preliminary experiment suggested that common understanding could be demonstrated for some adjectives. Further listening experiments gathered appropriate adjectives from English-speaking listeners and suggested that those adjectives could vary with age, geographic location and visual stimulus presented. Seven timbral adjectives were selected for further study and used as rating scales in a series of listening experiments using both recorded and synthesised ensembles. Five of those words demonstrated common understanding, and several demonstrated consistent correlation with spectral features derived from acoustic analyses. The spectral and perceptual effect of a reverberant environment was also examined. The hypothesis was proven, and the work was novel in both its scope and contribution to knowledge. Complex ensembles were explored both acoustically and perceptually, and the results have strong applicability outside of the context of the pipe organ