Identifying songs from their piano-driven opening chords

It is currently believed that timbre plays a primary role in the identification of songs from very brief excerpts music. However, its specific contribution, and those other characteristics music, remain unclear. The aim present study was to investigate contributions chord type, voicing, duration participants’ ability identify their opening chords, played on piano alone or one instrument. Ninety-three participants were asked 20 chords. They also estimate similarity between pairs We evaluated contribution 10 chords song rates, including brightness, pitch register, duration, because high perceptual salience, others chosen basis theoretical predictions relating auditory long-term memory. Song rates associated with chords’ familiarity and, lesser extent, but not musical background. results suggest listeners without training can cued by both timbral non-timbral characteristics.