Qu.12 Of three concert surveys asked:

Which piano sound is more suited to jazz style

The averaged responses result revealed that 81% perceived the Stuart sound to be more suited to Jazz style than the Steinway sound

Comments written in each of the six concert-surveys about the suitability of both pianos to jazz style and classical style provided more evidence with 85% of participants commenting that the Stuart sound was more suitable for jazz style than Steinway, and 89% commenting that Steinway sound was more suitable for classical style than Stuart.

Participants’ comments revealed perceptual associations of the newness of the Stuart sound with a newness of jazz music, and the traditional Steinway sound with the traditions of classical music. The nature of the presentation by Kevin Hunt presenting the Stuart as the new alternative sound may have influenced this audience perception. Possibly less information in the spoken presentation about the research objectives, and a more succinct detailing of the participants’ musical taste and listening history would be useful for compiling the pyschophysical perceptions of instrumental sound, musical style and pianistic style.

The Steinway piano produced a powerful& clear classical sound. The Stuart produce a light, jazzy fun and dancing sound.²⁶²

Jazz is suited to innovative sounds, so the Stuart fits in better, whereas the classical traditional sphere is suited to the traditional instruments, horses for courses.²⁶³

The Stuart’s sound is very clear and uncluttered not muffled, sometimesit can sound a bit confronting because the tone is so clear. It seems to suit confronting music-jazz/modern.²⁶⁴

Combining the survey answers and comments to establish an overall perception finds that 86% of participants preferred the Stuart sound for jazz style, and 89% preferred the Steinway sound for classical music.

²⁶²comment response music genre /piano sound from concert No 6
²⁶³comment response music genre /piano sound from concert No 2
²⁶⁴ comment response music genre /piano sound from concert No 3