Properties of expressive variability patterns in music performances

Common variability patterns for timing, articulation, and loudness were ext racted by means of principal component analysis from music performances int ended to express anger, fear, happiness, or sadness. Synthetic performances were generated with either timing, articulation, loudness. or no variabili ty, which were rated by 10 musically experienced listeners on 10 adjectives , including the original emotions. Correlations were found between the rati ngs and two mathematical properties of the patterns, namely fractal dimensi on and durational contrast. The results suggest that both these properties describe relevant characteristics of the variability patterns, and that the y play a role in emotional expression. Different roles for these properties in timing, articulation, and loudness variability were indicated. These fi ndings may facilitate comparisons between different expressive domains, suc h as music, dance, speech, and body motion.