The Influence of Timbre and Culture on Musical Harmony

A comprehensive cross-cultural study led by researchers from MIT and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics reveals a universal bias towards rhythms formed by simple integer ratios in music, regardless of cultural background. The study, spanning 15 countries and encompassing diverse participant groups, found a common inclination towards rhythms composed of simple integer ratios, while also highlighting significant variations in rhythmic preferences across different cultures. The findings challenge the notion that only trained musicians develop sophisticated rhythmic perceptions and underscore the profound impact of cultural and environmental factors on cognitive processes related to music.