The Effects of Age, Singing Ability, and Instrumental Experiences on Preschool Children's Melodic Perception

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of age, singing ability, and training with pitched instruments on preschool children's auditory perception of five melodic components: absolute pitch level, melodic rhythm, melodic contour, tonal center, and melodic interval. The results of the study, based on the vocal responses of 91 3- to 5-year-old subjects, revealed the following: (a) significant differences associated with age were found in preschool children's perception of melodic rhythm, melodic contour, and melodic interval; (b) high-ability singers scored higher than low-ability singers on perception of melodic rhythm, melodic contour, tonal center, and melodic interval; (c) instrumental and noninstrumental treatment groups did not differ significantly in perception of the melodic components.