Lecture: Justin London

What Is Musical Tempo?

Abstract: When we listen to music its tempo is rarely, if ever, in doubt.  Yet the cues for tempo judgments are not simple or straightforward.  Through a series of illustrative examples, I will unpack various cues for tempo such as beat rate, loudness, event density, and spectral flux.  Moving beyond auditory cues, the effect of watching others moving while listening, as well as one's own movement while listening, will be added to the picture, showing that tempo perception has important cross-modal aspects.  Finally, energistic account of tempo is given that relates musical tempo to theories of walking, suggesting that "tempo" is not so much a measure of musical speed, but rather an index of the energy required to produce and/or move with the music.

Please note, that the lecture will be held in English.

External guests are welcome. Please call for registration 069 8300 479-201.