Stream Segregation and Perceived Syncopation

Abstract

Many movements from Bach’s unaccompanied string works contain implied polyphony. Although earlier approaches describe this technique as a way of using arpeggiation to embellish a melodic line, disguise an otherwise unacceptable melodic progression, delay the resolution of dissonance, or create underlying voice-leading patterns, these descriptions cannot account for the variety and complexity of the implied polyphony in these pieces. This paper presents an additional analytical approach that uses research on auditory stream segregation and phenomenal accents to determine transitions between implied voices. Based on this type of analysis, it is proposed that Bach did not treat implied polyphony as solely a melodic feature. He instead used implied polyphony to apply irregular accent patterns to the isochronous surface of the music, thereby creating perceived rhythmic variety at the fastest levels of the metric hierarchy.

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