Musical illusions only work when the listener’s expectations have been pre-established

Evidence

To hear the stereo illusion—phantom images between the loudspeakers—the listener must be in the symmetrical “sweet spot”. When listening off-center the music continues essentially unchanged, but the soundstage is distorted. A sense of ambiguous space is likely to be preserved. The recording method and style of music are determining factors. Spacious classical music is more forgiving than most popular recordings. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 395 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Listening for what has not yet sounded—like a fisherman waiting for a nibble or a bite. … Pull the sound out of the air like a fisherman catching a fish, sensing its size and energy —when you hear the sound,—play it. — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 382 (#expands, via linked claim)

Just as objects are rank-ordered in perspective painting, depending on their distance from the viewer, so musical sounds are rank-ordered by means of their dynamic emphasis in the virtual space of the soundscape. It is an equally deliberate illusion which centuries of training turned into a habit. — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 513 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Perceptual listening involves attending to sounds not yet present. — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 382; Off-center listeners lose the stereo illusion but retain musical content — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 395; Acoustic illusions reveal perception mechanisms and shape music performance — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1615 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Off-center listeners lose the stereo illusion but retain musical content #qualifies (0.80) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 395
• Perceptual listening involves attending to sounds not yet present. #expands (0.75) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 382
• Western dynamic hierarchy in music is a trained perceptual illusion #exemplifies (0.75) — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 513
• Bach’s organ pedal leaps create perceptual pitch ambiguity for listeners. #exemplifies (0.75)
• Acoustic illusions reveal perception mechanisms and shape music performance #expands (0.70) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1615