Drumming Action and Perception: How the Movements of a Professional Drummer Influence Experiences of Tempo, Time, and Expressivity

Abstract

The present study approached drumming motion from a three-fold perspective: computational movement feature analysis, perceptual evaluations of movement animations, and both in combination. We motion-captured a professional drummer performing two rhythms at two tempi with varying combinations of dynamics and amount of movement. Movement feature analysis indicated that the drummer varied their movement such that movement fluidity was higher in slow tempo compared to fast tempo, in particular for experimental conditions involving more movement and softer dynamics. Movement complexity was highest when playing slowly in the “much movement” condition. Subsequently, a perceptual online experiment was conducted using the drummer's animations with and without audio, asking observers ( n = 114) to judge perceived passage of time, expressivity, and tempo. Results indicate that passage of time ratings were related to movement instructions, with much-movement performances being perceived to pass more quickly than little-movement ones. Furthermore, fast tempo stimuli were perceived to pass more quickly than slow tempo stimuli. Expressivity ratings were associated with the stimulus tempo as well, with fast tempo stimuli being rated as more expressive than slow tempo stimuli. Moreover, much-movement performances received higher ratings for expressivity, reinforcing the link between expressivity and movement. Including the movement features in the statistical model revealed that increased movement complexity and amount of movement related to higher perceived expressivity. While movement could be well distinguished between the different drumming conditions, the analysis regarding the other perceptual judgments (passage of time and tempo) indicated less influence of the movement characteristics, implying that participants rather focussed on other aspects when rating these. The outcomes suggest systematic links between bodily implementation of drumming and its perception related to time, tempo, and expressivity.