Effects of Multiple Listenings on Error-Detection Acuity in Multivoice, Multitimbral Musical Examples

This study is an investigation of the effects of multiple listenings on error-detection identification and labeling accuracy among brass and woodwind instrumentalists. Examples derived from band music used balanced four-voice incipits performed with differing timbres, and errors that occurred in one or multiple voices. Response rates for correct and incorrect identification and labeling of errors were greatest during the first listening, less for the second, and least for the third. Identification mistakes outnumbered correct responses in the last two listenings. Error-labeling mistakes outnumbered correct responses in all listenings. Most correct responses in the first listening were made in the top two lines. During all listenings, the fewest correct identification and labeling responses occurred in the bottommost voice. Data suggest that multiple listenings and a correct aural referent may not help error-detection acuity in multitimbral, multivoice settings. These data may be useful in informing practice in conducting and methods instruction during teacher-preparation programs.