Semi-quantitative method of song similarity analysis on an example of Chaffinch
songs in Ukraine. - E. Yablonovska-Grishchenko. - Berkut. 15 (1-2). 2006. -
P. 197-203.
There are 3 ways of sonogram and wave-form analysis now: visual comparison of
sonograms, comparison of numerical characteristics of sound parameters and automatic
algorithmic similarity search. Imperfections of these methods are their certain
subjectivity or neglect important nuances of song structure. We have worked
out the semi-quantitative method of song analysis. It is based on formalized
description of song elements. This method intends for research of song elements’
and song type variation. It was tested for analysis of Chaffinch songs in Ukraine.
First step is the description of any element of sonogram as consecution initial
sub-elements by means of parameter marking by letters: first (second, etc.)
sub-element is whistle (wh) or trill (t), long (l) or short (sh), wide (w) or
narrow (n) etc. “Formula of element”, or complete description of element,
is the result of this step. Next, all complete descriptions of elements are
compared with each other on all sub-elements. Sums of coincident and non-coincident
parameters of pairs of elements created matrix table. Sørensen’s
index was calculated for all pairs of elements. Tree clustering is created by
Ward’s method (using STATISTICA 5.1). The table of groups of elements is
result of this work. Next step is the making of song description in the form
of song formula. Song formula is the step by step list of all song elements
in the form of enumeration of element alphanumeric code names, with one code
to each phrase. It used for comparison of song types. [English].
Key words: bioacoustics, Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, method,
similarity, song type, element.
Address: E.D. Yablonovska-Grishchenko, Kaniv Nature Reserve, 19000 Kaniv,
Ukraine; e-mail: aetos@narod.ru.
