The effect of task and pitch structure on pitch-time interactions in music

J.B. Prince; M.A. Schmuckler; W.F. Thompson

doi:10.3758/MC.37.3.368

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The effect of task and pitch structure on pitch-time interactions in music

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

The effect of task and pitch structure on pitch-time interactions in music

J.B. Prince, M.A. Schmuckler and W.F. Thompson

Memory & Cognition, Vol.37(3), pp.368-381

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/MC.37.3.368

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Abstract

Musical pitch–time relations were explored by investigating the effect of temporal variation on pitch perception. In Experiment 1, trained musicians heard a standard tone followed by a tonal context and then a comparison tone. They then performed one of two tasks. In the cognitive task, they indicated whether the comparison tone was in the key of the context. In the perceptual task, they judged whether the comparison tone was higher or lower than the standard tone. For both tasks, the comparison tone occurred early, on time, or late with respect to temporal expectancies established by the context. Temporal variation did not affect accuracy in either task. Experiment 2 used the perceptual task and varied the pitch structure by employing either a tonal or an atonal context. Temporal variation did not affect accuracy for tonal contexts, but did for atonal contexts. Experiment 3 replicated these results and controlled potential confounds. We argue that tonal contexts bias attention toward pitch and eliminate effects of temporal variation, whereas atonal contexts do not, thus fostering pitch–time interactions.

Details

Title: The effect of task and pitch structure on pitch-time interactions in music
Authors/Creators: J.B. Prince (Author/Creator) - Canadian Association for Girls in Science
M.A. Schmuckler (Author/Creator) - University of Toronto
W.F. Thompson (Author/Creator) - Macquarie University
Publication Details: Memory & Cognition, Vol.37(3), pp.368-381
Publisher: The Psychonomic Society
Identifiers: 991005543459007891
Copyright: The Psychonomic Society
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 10 Arts & Humanities; 10.240 Music; 10.240.657 Music Cognition
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Experimental
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology