Effects of Tempo, Musical Experience, and Listening Modes on Tempo Modulation Perception

Abstract

In this study, I investigated the effects of tempo direction, listening mode, and level of subjects' musical experience on speed and accuracy in tempo change detection abilities. Tempo-change and direction-change examples gradually decelerated, accelerated, or remained steady. Listening mode included listening only, listening and watching a conductor, and listening and moving. The two levels of musical experience were defined as music majors ( n = 80) and nonmajors ( n = 80). Subjects listened to music examples and manipulated a Continuous Response Digital Interface (CRDI) to demonstrate perception of tempo alteration. Analysis of data included subject response latency and accuracy. Experience was found to be a determinant in quantifiably different temporal response. Music majors more accurately detected tempo changes than did nonmajors. Subjects were generally better at detecting tempo acceleration over tempo deceleration. Subjects demonstrated a slightly lower degree of response accuracy when listening and watching a conductor compared to the conditions of listening alone and listening and moving. Most demonstrated shorter initial response latencies during tempo acceleration. The combined variables of experience, tempo-change direction, and listening condition had an interactive effect on response latency.