Temporal coordination in joint music performance: effects of endogenous rhythms and auditory feedback.

Anna Zamm,Caroline Palmer,Peter Q Pfordresher

doi:10.1007/s00221-014-4140-5

Anna Zamm, Caroline Palmer + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-014-4140-5

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Abstract

Many behaviors require that individuals coordinate the timing of their actions with others. The current study investigated the role of two factors in temporal coordination of joint music performance: differences in partners’ spontaneous (uncued) rate and auditory feedback generated by oneself and one’s partner. Pianists performed melodies independently (in a Solo condition), and with a partner (in a duet condition), either at the same time as a partner (Unison), or at a temporal offset (Round), such that pianists heard their partner produce a serially shifted copy of their own sequence. Access to self-produced auditory information during duet performance was manipulated as well: Performers heard either full auditory feedback (Full), or only feedback from their partner (Other). Larger differences in partners’ spontaneous rates of Solo performances were associated with larger asynchronies (less effective synchronization) during duet performance. Auditory feedback also influenced temporal coordination of duet performance: Pianists were more coordinated (smaller tone onset asynchronies and more mutual adaptation) during duet performances when self-generated auditory feedback aligned with partner-generated feedback (Unison) than when it did not (Round). Removal of self-feedback disrupted coordination (larger tone onset asynchronies) during Round performances only. Together, findings suggest that differences in partners’ spontaneous rates of Solo performances, as well as differences in self- and partner-generated auditory feedback, influence temporal coordination of joint sensorimotor behaviors.

Highlights

Many common behaviors, from speaking to walking, require that individuals use sensory information to plan and guide movement
Temporal coordination of ensemble music performance may be constrained by differences in performers’ endogenous rhythms: We investigate whether individual differences in spontaneous rates of Solo performance influence synchronization of actions with a partner during ensemble music performance
The alignment of self-produced and partner-produced auditory information was manipulated across Unison and Round conditions, while the auditory and motor information associated with one’s own actions was held constant

Summary

Introduction

From speaking to walking, require that individuals use sensory information to plan and guide movement. Successful sensorimotor integration occurs when individuals use sensory information to guide motor commands, and adjust their movements when feedback does not match intended sensory outcomes. Sensorimotor integration is a complex task during the production of auditory-motor behaviors such as speech and music, in which integration of sensory feedback with motor commands must occur quickly. When auditory feedback is delayed by a fraction of a second during production of speech and music, the timing of actions is disrupted (Finney 1997; Jones and Striemer 2007; Pfordresher and Palmer 2002). Most work on auditory-motor integration focuses on individual performance, there are many auditory-motor behaviors in which individuals must coordinate their actions with others, such as conversational speech and ensemble music performance. Sensorimotor integration between individuals poses more challenges than integration within individuals; performers must integrate sensory and motor information from themselves and from a

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