The author introduces his theory of perceptive musical analysis by comparing scientific research with musical research. After this introduction, he details two methods:
- Bottom-up: from the material, revealing the psychoacoustic structure.
- Top-down: starting with a perceptual report from the listener through which the musical segmentation is revealed.
He established these approaches through the psychoacoustic research of David Wessel, Schaefferian theory of electroacoustic material, and the synthesis experiences of Jean-Claude Risset.