Work

The Rhythm Span Task: Comparing Memory Capacity for Musical Rhythms in Musicians and Non-Musicians

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: The study introduces a rhythm memory task and compares performance of musicians and non-musicians. The rhythm span task with increasing and decreasing sequence length according to the participants’ performance, measures the individual memory capacity for musical rhythms. Results show that musicians perform significantly better on the rhythm span task indicating that memory capacity for rhythms is superior after many years of formal musical training. Additionally performance correlates positively with an established pitch span task (Williamson & Stewart, 2010) as well as the five dimensions of the Gold-MSI self-report questionnaire (Müllensiefen et al., 2014) evaluating musical sophistication.

Source: Journal of New Music Research

DOI: 10.1080/09298215.2014.937724

Authors: Nora K. Schaal, Michael J. Banissy, Kathrin Lange

Institutions: Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Goldsmiths University of London

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Music Perception

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Awards: G5435156510, Enhancing the perception of social facial cues using non-invasive brain stimulation