What Does This Theory Explain?

Tonotopy:
  • Why dissonant intervals relate to masking
  • Why chords have wider intervals in the bass
  • Why rich timbres more dissonant
  • Why upward transposition reduces dissonance
  • Why "dissonance" is negatively valenced
Numerosity:
  • Why perfectly-tuned intervals sound dull
  • Why listeners enjoy reverberation
    (despite loss of clarity)
  • Why listeners enjoy instrument doubling
  • Why listeners enjoy large ensembles: choirs & orchestras
  • Why "phasing" sounds nice
  • Why slow AM sounds nice
  • Why multi-part music predominates over monophonic music
  • Why a major-major seventh chord sounds nicer than a major seventh interval
  • Why stereophonic sound is preferred to monaural sound (?)
  • Why numerosity is positively valenced
Both:
  • Why perfect & imperfect consonances are treated differently
  • Accounts for 90% of interval preference in Bach's music
  • Why "complexity" evokes positively valenced limbic responses