EXPECTANCIES GENERATED BY MELODIC INTERVALS - PERCEPTUAL JUDGMENTS OFMELODIC CONTINUITY

The present study tested quantified predictors based on the bottom-up principles of Narmour's (1990) implication-realization model of melodi c expectancy against continuity ratings collected for a tone that foll owed a two-tone melodic beginning. Twenty-four subjects (12 musically trained, 12 untrained) were presented with each of eight melodic inter vals-two successive tones which they were asked to consider as the beg inning of a melody. On each trial, a melodic interval was followed by a third tone, one of the 25 chromatic notes within the range one octav e below to one octave above the second tone of the interval. The subje cts were asked to rate how well the third tone continued the melody. A series of regression analyses was performed on the continuation ratin gs, and a final model to account for the variance in the ratings is pr oposed. Support was found for three of Narmour's principles and a modi fied version of a fourth. Support was also found for predictor variabl es based on the pitch organization of tonal harmonic music. No signifi cant differences between the levels of musical training were encounter ed.