Compositional Strategies to Create Experiences of Imaginary Spaces through Headphone Listening

The study aims to find effective compositional strategies for creating experiences of imaginary spaces through headphone listening, which can be used as a descriptive tool during composing. The compositional strategies are discussed under the framework, structured as four interrelated elements: composing the narrative, environment, movement, and structure. 

The study will begin by identifying different types of imaginary spaces evoked by sound compositions, investigating compatible software instruments for enhancing spatial imagery through headphones. This study is an example of the use of headphones in electroacoustic spatial music, with the aim of creating more accessible and affordable immersive listening experiences.

Is it possible to direct each listener’s spatial imagination at a significant level? Do the differences in spatial thinking ability and spatial vocabulary extent of the listener influence their experience? To answer these questions, a methodology was developed consisting of a theoretical foundation (descriptive tool), a practical implementation (composition) and the observation of users’ experiences through surveys (listening experiment).

The composition created using this tool was evaluated in controlled sessions with participants trained in sound and/or spatial design. Listeners provided yes/no responses, scaled ratings, and open-ended comments. In the first stage, they listened with eyes closed to assess general impressions; in the second, they detailed spatial and compositional elements. Three stage interviews yielded both quantitative and qualitative insights.

Results show that the composition successfully generated immersive and spatially rich experiences. Overall, the findings support the effectiveness of the proposed strategies and validate the research method’s capacity to measure the perceptibility of abstract spatial works.