The tritone paradox: Effects of spectral variables

Abstract

A paradoxical two-tone pattern is explored, which is heard as ascending when played in one key but as descending when played in a different key. The pattern thus provides a striking counterexample to the principle of invariance under transposition. In addition, the pattern in any one key is heard as ascending by some listeners but as descending by others. This study examines the effects of spectral variables on how the pattern is perceived. © 1987 Psychonomic Society, Inc.