A Study of Internal Validity of the Instrument Timbre Preference Test

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Abstract
This research is an examination of an aspect of internal validity of Edwin Gordon's Instrument Timbre Preference Test (ITPT). The purpose of the ITPT is to provide an objective aid in helping students choose an appropriate instrument for beginning study. Seven different timbres are used in the test, representing the flute, clarinet, saxo-phone/horn, double reeds, trumpet/cornet, trombone/baritone/horn, and the tuba/sousaphone. A question is raised concerning Gordon's use of synthesized sounds as the basis for determination of listener preference of actual instrument timbres. For this study, 128 subjects were asked to respond to questions of preference and recognition of the actual test items. Results indicated that a number of the test timbres did not accurately represent actual instrument timbres. Scores were recorded as to the number of times subjects recognized and/or preferred the timbre of the instrument they were actually performers of. Overall, students recognized the timbre of their own instrument 800 out of 1,541 times they heard it (only 52% of the time) and preferred it 880 times (57% of the time). Individually, timbres were recognized as seldom as 23% of the time, and preferred as little as 43% of the time. Recommendations are presented in relation to the use of synthesized sounds and suggest that the test could be made more valid by modifying the timbres used.