PREFERENCE FOR MUSICAL TEMPO INVOLVING SYSTEMATIC VARIATIONS OF PRESENTED TEMPI FOR KNOWN AND UNKNOWN MUSICAL EXCERPTS

Previous studies have indicated inconsistently that preferred tempo wa s moderate or fast. The basis for inconsistency might be differences i n methods, i.e., differences in tempo operation and subjects' experien ce of listening to musical pieces. The present study examined the pref erence for tempo using known and unknown melodies which were presented at varied rempi systematically. 119 undergraduates nor majoring in mu sic were subjects, divided into three subgroups, slow, medium, and fas t music groups according to tempi designated by composers. Subjects ra ted items about Perceived Activity and affect for each stimulus presen ted at varied tempi. Subjects evaluated fast tempi as active regardles s of differences in the designated tempi and prior listening experienc e. Affect (including preference) showed an inverted-U shape relationsh ip to variations in tempo. The most preferred tempo was the designated tempo for known melodies, while moderate tempi (109 to 130 in metrono me measure) mere preferred for unknown melodies.