Musical pattern design using contour icons

This paper considers the use of basic melodic shapes known as contour icons in the design and implementation of musical patterns, for the purposes of detection and recognition in a data Sonification. Existing work in the field (such as that concerning earcon design) has considered the mechanisms by which patterns may be made distinctive, but it is argued that separate consideration must be given to the method of making such patterns memorable. This work suggests that while segregation and detection can best be facilitated by the individuality of a patterns rhythm and timbre, the retention (and hence future recognition) of a musical pattern is concerned more with features such as melodic range and contour. The detection and comprehension of contour icons was tested in comparison to a set of low level reference patterns based on earcon design guidelines (although not earcons themselves). Results show that significant improvement was made due to the use of contour icons, with future work focusing on the many possibilities that such a design framework suggests.