Problems of shape and background in sounds with inharmonic spectra

Abstract

In this paper, we show that it is possible to synthesize inharmonic sounds which exhibit certain tonal properties. Their similarity, consonance, and dissonance depend on the spectral configuration while their use in a musical context depend on the scaling used as well. The sounds are perceived as Gestalts in that their pitch and timbre belong to the whole sound and not to the partials that constitute the sound. The sounds can be configured to form melodies, voices, chords, accompaniment, and they may form tonal fields that influence the behavior of the sounds. The tonal field manifests itself as a holistic form having characteristics depending on the structure of the sound system. It is argued that the exploration of inharmonic sounds from a musical point of view must be completed with knowledge about psychophysiological processes.