SXC
The touch defines the timbre: after all, it is possible to learn to make different tones, especially on the piano.
A group of scientists confirmed what many pianists suspected for over a century: You can change the timbre of a piano through the touch.
Through high precision sensors, data science, and psychophysical experiences, researchers have been able to identify micro-moving on keys that shape sound perception, linking art to science to open doors to new advances in music education, neuroscience and other areas.
The study led by Shinichi Furuyaof the Neuropian Institute, in collaboration with the Sony Computer Science Laboratories, was in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) to September 22 and, for the first time, reveals scientifically how pianists manipulate the keys to change the timbre.
Creativity in music, painting and other arts is based on the ability to generate diverse perceptions in the public. However, so far, there was no scientific proof that the timbre could be changed during the execution of an instrument, nor that specific motor skills would be necessary to do so.
The group of scientists has now developed the Hackkeya sensor system capable of measuring movements of the 88 piano keys with temporal resolution of 1000 fps and spatial accuracy of 0.01 mm.
20 international renowned pianists were evaluated to reproduce distinct tones, such as “clear” or “dark” sounds, or “light” or “heavy” touches. The results showed that listeners were able to distinguish the pianist’s intended tones, regardless of whether they had musical experience or not.
Pianists, in particular, revealed an even greater sensitivity For these differences. The analysis revealed that certain specific characteristics of keys movement, such as exhaust acceleration and small variations in hand synchronization, are determinant in the creation of different tones. And the changes in only one of these variables could already be perceived as a distinct tone, which proves the causal relationship between movement and sound perception.
Timbre manipulation is now officially scientifically a skill, which means that it is possible to teach the movements that generate such a tone.
The study also opens new perspectives for interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, psychology and artistic studies, revealing biological mechanisms that allow the perception of complex nuances of sound. Future investigations can explore how the brain processes higher level information, such as timbre and expressiveness, as well as develop training methods that integrate advanced technologies, enhancing artistic performance and learning.
In addition to music, the principle of using the body to achieve previously impossible results is applicable to Sport, cooking, painting or surgery.
