This paper investigates three individual differences with respect to ratings of the same piece of classical piano music that has undergone different expressive performance treatments. The individual difference variables investigated were music systemising (those interested in the structural and organizational aspects of music), music empathizing (those interested in the emotional/human aspects of music) and musical experience (years of playing). Five pieces, based on stimuli used in RenconGATM were rated according to expressiveness and execution, each being related to musical expression, but the former suggesting an empathizing processing style and the latter a systemizing processing style. Ratings made by 45 participants did not show any clear differences that could be attributed to a cognitive style. One explanation for this finding was that cognitive music styles are more likely to influence justifications of ratings, rather than ratings magnitude. High music systemisers reported having higher concentration than other participants.
['Emery Schubert', 'Giovanni De Poli', 'Antonio Rodà', 'Sergio Canazza']
Music Systemisers and Music Empathisers - Do they rate expressiveness of computer generated performances the same?