The verbal attributes that generated the most significant perceptual responses from the audiences are listed in the table below. These results are responses to the attributes that were presented in three multiple-choice questions and were also used by the participants in written comments.

Detailed breakdowns of the above perception results are illustrated in Appendix 5.

Interpreting Audience Perceptions

Responses to questions 4 & 5, 6 &7, and 14 &15 indicated audience perceptions that identified the tonal colours of the Stuart and Steinway piano sounds. The scales of tonal quality designated by the verbal attributes, attracted responses of clear differences indicated by the percentage differences for each piano sound. As previously mentioned, the frequency of use of a specific attribute in the survey responses established a figure of above or below 50% of the total number of participant responses for that particular question. The percentage indicated the majority perception, either a Stuart majority (+ 50%), or a Steinway majority (+50%). For example, in concerts 4 & 6, for questions 14 & 15, 80% of participants used the attribute ‘colourful’ in their responses to describe the sound of the Stuart piano sound. This is interpreted as a majority perception, because only 20% responded that the Steinway sound was more ‘colourful’ than Stuart. This % difference indicated the overall perception that the majority (80%) of the participants described the Stuart sound as being more ‘colourful’ than Steinway.