01
How does increasing tempo affect perceived energy and emotional valence in a short electronic loop?
Approach · Produce one loop at several tempi, keep instrumentation constant, evaluate listener ratings with a survey or Likert response.
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Music · IA research questions
12 IB Music IA ideas
Written and cross-checked by IB Diploma graduates: Alexander (41), Alejandro (40), Martina (40), Victoria (38), Martin (35), Maria (34)
· Checked against official IB guidance · Editorial policy
A strong Music IA experimenting with music focuses on one musical parameter and investigates how changing it affects a chosen outcome. Use a clear method, produce measurable results, and link back to a musical concept from the syllabus.
Scope: Use software you can operate: a DAW, notation software, sampler or simple recording setup. Keep the transformation small enough to control; treat musical judgment as a method with criteria. ~1,500–2,000 words.
02
How does replacing a major third with a minor third change emotional character?
Approach · Create matched melodic variants, keep rhythm and timbre constant, collect listener responses to emotional categories.
03
How does adding reverb or delay depth change the sense of space in a voice-plus-piano recording?
Approach · Record one take, apply systematic send levels, evaluate spatial impressions through a small listener comparison.
04
How does changing drum-machine swing percentage affect groove perception?
Approach · Quantise the same pattern at several swing settings, keep tempo and timbre constant, evaluate groove ratings.
05
How does the register of a melodic line affect its memorability after one listen?
Approach · Present matched melodies in different registers, test recall after fixed exposure, compare recognition accuracy.
06
How does layering texture from monophony to polyphony affect perceived complexity?
Approach · Arrange one phrase at three texture levels, keep pitch material constant, evaluate complexity and preference ratings.
07
How does changing from diatonic to modal chord progression affect resolution?
Approach · Produce two matched loops, collect listener ratings of resolution and surprise, discuss functional harmony vs modal colour.
08
How does dynamic range compression affect listener engagement in a pop vocal?
Approach · Prepare two masters with different compression settings, keep arrangement constant, evaluate engagement through paired comparison.
09
How does an atonal pitch set change tension and release in a short film underscore?
Approach · Compose two matched cues, keep rhythm and instrumentation constant, evaluate tension ratings across scenes.
10
How does repeating a rhythmic motif at different metric levels affect perceived groove?
Approach · Create loop variants with metric displacement, test with listeners or dancers, evaluate rhythmic complexity and drive.
11
How does the presence or absence of a bass layer affect perceived completeness?
Approach · Produce paired excerpts with and without bass, keep other layers identical, evaluate fullness and balance ratings.
12
How does lyric intelligibility affect listener connection and theme recognition?
Approach · Produce matched mixes, vary intelligibility systematically, evaluate theme recognition and emotional connection.
Sources & verification
Primary-source references used to verify key assessment facts on this page. Last source check: September 22, 2026.
These Music ideas are original iBacalao starting points, not official IB research questions. Check the current Music subject guide, your assessment session and your school's safety/ethics rules before committing to a question.
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