The Avoidance of Inner-Voice Entries: Perceptual Evidence and Musical Practice

Abstract

Experimental evidence has shown that entries of inner voices are more difficult to perceive than entries of outer voices in multivoiced music. A study of voice entries in 75 fugues by J. S. Bach shows no significant avoidance of inner-voice entries in three- and four-voice textures. However, in the case of five-voice textures, Bach does demonstrate a significant reluctance to have a voice enter in an inner-voice position. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that Bach endeavors to minimize perceptual confusion in his polyphonic works as the textural density increases.

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