Chunking in rhythm production and perception

Research on the production and perception of rhythmic patterns has focused on how the human brain perceives auditory stimuli embedded in a rhythmic context and how individuals produce intervals in rhythmic sequences. In the present work we investigated the processing mechanisms underlying production and perception of complex rhythms and how these processes are influenced by musical training. Our focus in this regard was on cognitive control processes and Gestalt-like grouping principles. The first study focussed on the production of complex rhythms by musically untrained and trained participants. To investigate sequencing and cognitive control processes at different levels we had participants perform timing tasks on three complexity conditions: low-level timing, single rhythm and rhythm switch conditions. Task-set reconfiguration processes revealed themselves through higher timing variability during transitions between measures in single rhythm and rhythm switch conditions. Differences in timing variability during set transitions and error rates between novices and amateur musicians were found for the rhythm switch condition suggesting that amateur musicians were able to create larger task-sets (chunks). The second study investigated perceptual grouping in rhythmic patterns. The aim was to extend previous findings on the role of grouping principles (the run and the gap principle) for the perceived start of rhythmic patterns to complex rhythms. A second goal was to investigate whether musically trained individuals had superior grouping abilities in that respect. The results confirmed the predictive power of the run and the gap principle for rhythmic patterns but also indicated that additional grouping principles must be considered. No differences between novices and amateur musicians were found. The third study combined a perception and production task to indicate whether the grouping principles tested in the second study (the run and gap principle), coincided with task-set reconfiguration processes during rhythm production. The predictive power of these principles could be replicated. Increased variation at perceived starting positions also indicated the start of a task-set (chunk) and induced task-set reconfiguration processes. Differences related musical skill were limited to an overall higher timing variability in novices.

Publication year:2022

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