contemporary composers to produce timbral-centered music. Contemporary composers state timbral listening as the correct technique to adopt in listening to and analysing their timbre (as opposed to pitch) based compositions. 'Pure timbres' are explored using methods such as granular synthesis in works such as Dragon of the Nebula by Mara Helmuth. Shakuhachi music in Japan The music produced by the Shakuhachi end blown flute such as honkyoku, contains timbral variations that are of equal importance to pitch variations. These timbral variations are indicated in Shakuhachi musical notation. Application The technique of timbral listening is used by sound engineers to evaluate timbre difference. See also Spectral music Sound mass Timbre recognition References Further reading Karpinski, G. S., Aural Skills Acquisition: The Development of Listening, Reading, and Performing Skills in College-level Musicians (US: Oxford University Press, 200). Sethares, W. A., Tuning, Timbre, Spectrum, Scale (Springer, 2004). Tomassen, K. P., "Acoustics and Perception of Overtone Singing". Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 92:4 (Oct. 1992): 1827–1836. Waters, S., "Timbre Composition: Ideology, Metaphor and Social Process". Contemporary Music Review 10:2 (1994), 129–134. Musicology Ethnomusicology Musical techniques Electronic music Psychoacoustics Throat singing