Slow Tempo Research Articles

The impact of basal ganglia lesions on sensorimotor synchronization, spontaneous motor tempo, and the detection of tempo changes

The basal ganglia (BG) are part of extensive subcortico-cortical circuits that are involved in a variety of motor and non-motor cognitive functions. Accumulating evidence suggests that one specific function that engages the BG and associated cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuitry is temporal processing, i.e., the mechanisms that underlie the encoding, decoding and evaluation of temporal relations or temporal structure. In the current study we investigated the interplay of two processes that require precise representations of temporal structure, namely the perception of an auditory pacing signal and manual motor production by means of finger tapping in a sensorimotor synchronization task. Patients with focal lesions of the BG and healthy control participants were asked to align finger taps to tone sequences that either did or did not contain a tempo acceleration or tempo deceleration at a predefined position, and to continue tapping at the final tempo after the pacing sequence had ceased. Performance in this adaptive synchronization-continuation paradigm differed between the two groups. Selective damage to the BG affected the abilities to detect tempo changes and to perform attention-dependent error correction, particularly in response to tempo decelerations. An additional assessment of preferred spontaneous, i.e., unpaced but regular, production rates yielded more heterogeneous results in the patient group. Together these findings provide evidence for less efficient processing in the perception and the production of temporal structure in patients with focal BG lesions. The results also support the functional role of the BG system in attention-dependent temporal processing.

Pianism Retraining via Video Conferencing as a Means of Assisting Recovery from Focal Dystonia: A Case Study

Focal dystonia (FD) is a devastating neurological condition which causes involuntary muscle contractions and often results in the loss of a musician's playing ability. Our study investigated whether retraining via video conferencing could be helpful in the treatment of a professional pianist with a 5-year history of FD. Although full recovery was not seen, improvement was observed at slow tempi, and his hand was visibly less cramped as training sessions progressed. We conclude that video conferencing could be an acceptable medium to assist pianism retraining in pianists with FD when location prevents on-site retraining. However, in this study it did not seem as effective as previously reported, similar, one-on-one retraining in the same location.

Differential Role of Naïve and Memory CD4+ T-Cell Subsets in Primary Alloresponses

The T cell response to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alloantigens occurs via two main pathways. The direct pathway involves the recognition of intact allogeneic MHC:peptide complexes on donor cells and provokes uniquely high frequencies of responsive T cells. The indirect response results from alloantigens being processed like any other protein antigen and presented as peptide by autologous antigen-presenting cells. The frequencies of T cells with indirect allospecificity are orders of magnitude lower and comparable to other peptide-specific responses. In this study, we explored the contributions of naïve and memory CD4(+) T cells to these two pathways. Using an adoptive transfer and skin transplantation model we found that naive and memory CD4(+) T cells, both naturally occurring and induced by sensitization with multiple third-party alloantigens, contributed equally to graft rejection when only the direct pathway was operative. In contrast, the indirect response was predominantly mediated by the naïve subset. Elimination of regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells enabled memory cells to reject grafts through the indirect pathway, but at a much slower tempo than for naïve cells. These findings have implications for better targeting of immunosuppression to inhibit immediate and later forms of alloimmunity.

Testing meter, rhythm, and tempo discriminations in pigeons

Rhythmic grouping and discrimination is fundamental to music. When compared to the perception of pitch, rhythmic abilities in animals have received scant attention until recently. In this experiment, four pigeons were tested with three types of auditory rhythmic discriminations to investigate their processing of this aspect of sound and music. Two experiments examined a meter discrimination in which successively presented idiophonic sounds were repeated in meters of different lengths in a go/no-go discrimination task. With difficulty, the birds eventually learned to discriminate between 8/4 and 3/4 meters constructed from cymbal and tom drum sounds at 180 beats per minute. This discrimination subsequently transferred to faster tempos, but not to different drum sounds or their combination. Experiment 3 tested rhythmic and arrhythmic patterns of sounds. After 40 sessions of training, these same pigeons showed no discrimination. Experiment 4 tested repetitions of a piano sound at fast and slow tempos. This discrimination was readily learned and showed transfer to novel tempos. The pattern of results suggests that pigeons can time periodic auditory events, but their capacity to understand generalized rhythmic groupings appears limited.

Pathology of Asbestosis—An Update of the Diagnostic Criteria: Report of the Asbestosis Committee of the College of American Pathologists and Pulmonary Pathology Society

Asbestosis is defined as diffuse pulmonary fibrosis caused by the inhalation of excessive amounts of asbestos fibers. Pathologically, both pulmonary fibrosis of a particular pattern and evidence of excess asbestos in the lungs must be present. Clinically, the disease usually progresses slowly, with a typical latent period of more than 20 years from first exposure to onset of symptoms. IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS: The pulmonary fibrosis of asbestosis is interstitial and has a basal subpleural distribution, similar to that seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is the principal differential diagnosis. However, there are differences between the 2 diseases apart from the presence or absence of asbestos. First, the interstitial fibrosis of asbestosis is accompanied by very little inflammation, which, although not marked, is better developed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Second, in keeping with the slow tempo of the disease, the fibroblastic foci that characterize idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are infrequent in asbestosis. Third, asbestosis is almost always accompanied by mild fibrosis of the visceral pleura, a feature that is rare in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. RESPIRATORY BRONCHIOLITIS: Asbestosis is believed to start in the region of the respiratory bronchiole and gradually extends outward to involve more and more of the lung acinus, until the separate foci of fibrosis link, resulting in the characteristically diffuse pattern of the disease. These early stages of the disease are diagnostically problematic because similar centriacinar fibrosis is often seen in cigarette smokers and is characteristic of mixed-dust pneumoconiosis. Fibrosis limited to the walls of the bronchioles does not represent asbestosis. Histologic evidence of asbestos inhalation is provided by the identification of asbestos bodies either lying freely in the air spaces or embedded in the interstitial fibrosis. Asbestos bodies are distinguished from other ferruginous bodies by their thin, transparent core. Two or more asbestos bodies per square centimeter of a 5- mu m-thick lung section, in combination with interstitial fibrosis of the appropriate pattern, are indicative of asbestosis. Fewer asbestos bodies do not necessarily exclude a diagnosis of asbestosis, but evidence of excess asbestos would then require quantitative studies performed on lung digests. Quantification of asbestos load may be performed on lung digests or bronchoalveolar lavage material, employing either light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, or transmission electron microscopy. Whichever technique is employed, the results are only dependable if the laboratory is well practiced in the method chosen, frequently performs such analyses, and the results are compared with those obtained by the same laboratory applying the same technique to a control population.

Singing Proficiency in the Majority

Recent evidence indicates that the majority of occasional singers can carry a tune. For example, when asked to sing a well-known song (e.g., "Happy Birthday"), nonmusicians performing at a slow tempo are as proficient as professional singers. Yet, some occasional singers are poor singers, mostly in the pitch domain, and sometimes despite not having impoverished perception. Poor singing is not a monolithic deficit, but is likely to be characterized by a diversity of singing "phenotypes." Here we systematically examined singing proficiency in a group of occasional singers, with the goal of characterizing the different patterns of poor singing. Participants sang three well-known melodies (e.g., "Jingle Bells") at a natural tempo and at a slow tempo, as indicated by a metronome. For each rendition, we computed objective measures of pitch and time accuracy with an acoustical method. The results confirmed previous observations that the majority of occasional singers can sing in tune and in time. Moreover, singing at a slow tempo after the target melody to be imitated was presented with a metronome improved pitch and time accuracy. In general, poor singers were mostly impaired on the pitch dimension, although various patterns of impairment emerged. Pitch accuracy or time accuracy could be selectively impaired; moreover, absolute measures of singing proficiency (pitch or tempo transposition) dissociated from relative measures of proficiency (pitch intervals, relative duration). These patterns of dissociations point to a multicomponent system underlying proficient singing that fractionates as a result of a developmental anomaly.

Left hand finger force in violin playing: Tempo, loudness, and finger differences

A three-dimensional force transducer was installed in the neck of a violin under the A string at the D5 position in order to study the force with which the violinist clamps the string against the fingerboard under normal playing conditions. Violinists performed repetitive sequences of open A- and fingered D-tones using the ring finger at tempi of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 notes/s at mezzo-forte. At selected tempi, the effects of dynamic level and the use of different fingers were investigated as well. The force profiles were clearly dependent on tempo and dynamic level. At slow tempi, the force profiles were characterized by an initial pulse followed by a level force to the end of the finger contact period. At tempi higher than 2 Hz, only pulsed profiles were observed. The peak force exceeded 4.5 N at 1 and 2 Hz and decreased to 1.7 N at 16 Hz. All force and impulse values were lower at softer dynamic levels, and when using the ring or little finger compared to the index finger.

The Role of Light and Music in Gambling Behaviour: An Empirical Pilot Study

Empirical research examining the situational characteristics of gambling and their effect on gambling behaviour is limited but growing. This experimental pilot investigation reports the first ever empirical study into the combined effects of both music and light on gambling behaviour. While playing an online version of roulette, 56 participants took part in one of four experimental conditions (14 participants in each condition); (1) gambling with fast tempo music under normal (white) light, (2) gambling with fast tempo music under red light, (3) gambling with slow tempo music under normal (white) light, and (4) gambling with slow tempo music under red light. Risk (dollars spent) per spin and speed of bets were measured as indicators of gambling behaviour. Significant main effects were found for speed of bets in relation to musical tempo, but not light. No significant effects were found for risk per spin for either of the two independent variables. A significant interaction between light and music for speed of bets was shown. Planned comparisons revealed that fast tempo music under red light resulted in faster gambling. These findings are discussed along with the methodological limitations, and potential implications for various stakeholders including the gambling industry and practitioners.

Rhythmic patterns during conversational repairs in speakers with aphasia

Background: Investigations of prosodic tempos during conversations between non‐disordered persons have revealed changes in tempo during conversational repairs. The present study investigates fluctuations in prosodic parameters of speakers with aphasia during conversational repairs to study how changes in prosodic tempo are associated with the speakers' ability to make comprehensible corrections. Aims: Previous investigators have found that non‐disordered speakers will alter prosodic tempo based on the type of repair: faster for self‐initiated repairs and slower for other‐initiated repairs (Couper‐Kuhlen, 1993). Others have shown that speech rate can influence the comprehension of verbal information by persons with aphasia during structured interactions such as in story telling or map directions (Laskey, Weidner, & Johnson, 1976; Salvatore & Davis, 1979). This study examines changes in prosodic patterns made by speakers with aphasia during repair episodes in informal conversations with non‐disordered partners. The influence of partner familiarity and perceived comprehensibility of the repair are also examined. Methods & Procedures: Conversations between speakers with aphasia and familiar and unfamiliar non‐disordered partners were recorded and acoustically analysed. Prosodic tempo is operationally defined as fluctuations in fundamental frequency (f0) and sound pressure levels (SPL), and is modelled with sine waves overlaid on graphic displays of f0 and SPL tracings during repair episodes. Listener judgements of repair success were then compared to the changes in prosodic tempo from pre‐ to post‐repair talk. Outcomes & Results: Analysis of the pre‐ to post‐repair prosodic tempo yielded results suggesting that speakers with aphasia respond differently during conversational repairs with familiar and unfamiliar partners, whereas non‐disordered speakers respond differently based on the type of repair (self‐initiated or other‐initiated). The successful resolution of the repairs was not found to be associated with a slower tempo. However, an analysis of the magnitude of change between pre‐ and post‐repair rhythm suggests that perceived success of repair is associated with the amount of change. Conclusions: The results of the acoustic analysis method used in the study were compatible with results obtained by previous studies using perceptual analyses (Couper‐Kuhlen, 1993). There was a significant difference in prosodic tempo between self‐ and other‐initiated repairs for the non‐disordered speakers who slowed down during other‐initiated repairs and sped up during self‐initiated repairs. In contrast, speakers with aphasia changed prosodic tempo based on partner familiarity. They used faster tempo with unfamiliar partners and slower tempo with familiar partners during repairs. Although slower tempo did not aid in the successful resolution of the repair, magnitude of change was found to be significantly greater during successful repairs compared to unsuccessful repairs.

CISGENESIS IS A PROMISING APPROACH FOR FAST, ACCEPTABLE AND SAFE BREEDING OF PIP FRUIT

Introgression of traits from wild germplasm into pip fruit cultivars by means of classical breeding is painstakingly slow. Introgression of e.g., the apple scab resistance gene Vf from Malus floribunda 821 into marketable high quality apple cultivars took approximately 50 years. In the mean time the Vf resistance is being broken down in Europe. For durable resistance, different resistance genes should be accumulated. However, this may take another series of decades. This slow tempo is caused mainly by the long juvenile period of apple and the phenomenon that not only the allele of interest is inherited by the progeny, but also hundreds of unwanted alleles. The process would be much faster if only the allele of interest was inserted, without unwanted alleles. This can be achieved by cisgenesis. We defined cisgenesis as genetic modification of plants, inserting alleles of the plant itself or from crossable relatives. The allele should contain its native introns and should be flanked by its native promoter and terminator in sense-orientation. If the plant is equipped with foreign genes from outside the gene pool of the conventional breeder, the plant is named transgenic. Inquiries indicate that cisgenic plants are more acceptable to consumers than transgenic plants. As the phenotypic result of cisgenesis can, in principle, also be obtained by means of conventional breeding or translocation breeding, cisgenic plants are as safe as plants from conventional breeding or mutation breeding. Therefore we have proposed to treat cisgenic plants like conventionally bred plants, by exempting cisgenic plants from the GMO regulation. The number of isolated, functionally analysed genes and their alleles from fruit tree crops is increasing. Also technologies are available for introduction of these alleles without leaving selection genes behind. Cisgenesis is combining the knowledge of native alleles with marker free technologies. Cisgenesis is a promising path for utilizing the wealth of knowledge on plant genes to the benefit of the society in a fast, safe, and acceptable way.

The relationship of age and leg strength in the step test with stipulated tempo in the elderly

This study aimed to examine age differences in the step test with stipulated tempo, a test of dynamic balance ability in the elderly. One hundred eighty-nine healthy elderly people (96 men and 93 women) executed the step test for 20s twice, with adjustments of the metronome (40bpm, 60bpm and 120bpm). The knee extension strength of both legs was each measured twice. Evaluation parameters included the time difference between metronome sound and the time when each foot hit the ground, two-leg support time, and one-leg support time. The time difference and two-leg support time were significantly longer in the order of 40bpm, 60bpm, and 120bpm tempos, and one-leg support time was shorter in the 40bpm tempo than the 60bpm and 120bpm tempos. A significant age difference was found in the 40bpm or 60bpm tempo, and the former two parameters were longer in the older groups and the one-leg support time was shorter. Three evaluation parameters showed significant relationships with knee extension strength. In conclusion, because the step test with a slow tempo (40bpm or 60bpm) requires longer one-leg support time, it is effective for the evaluation of dynamic balance ability and leg strength of the elderly.

Enabling emotional expression and interaction with new expressive interfaces

Event Abstract Back to Event Enabling emotional expression and interaction with new expressive interfaces Anders Friberg1*, Roberto Bresin1, Kjetil Falkenbe Hansen1 and Marco Fabiani1 1 Department of Speech Music and Hearing,KTH School of Computer Science and Communication, Sweden Many past studies about music and emotion have focused on the relation between musical features and specific emotions. A large number of these studies have been summarized qualitatively resulting in detailed specifications of musical features and the corresponding emotional expressions (e.g. Gabrielsson and Lindström, 2001; Juslin 2001; Juslin and Laukka, 2003). For example, a sad performance is associated with slow tempo, legato articulation and minor mode. Using this qualitative knowledge as a starting point many new applications has recently been proposed. Possible applications include music analysis, music recommendation systems, music performance system, artistic interfaces etc. We have been working mainly on real-time systems both for generating musical expression (synthesis) and for recognizing musical expression (analysis). The basic tools have been a simple emotion recognizer and the KTH rule system for music performance. The emotion recognizer have been used for gesture and singing input in a computer game, as well as connected to an artificial head and other graphical displays. The rule system has been used in a layman conductor interface, and for doing experiments both with musicians and children. An extension of the rule system is under development in which an existing audio recording can be morphed into another expression manipulating tempo, dynamics and articulation of individual voices. These applications and tools have been found to particularly useful in non-traditional musical contexts such as in computer games, behavioral studies or in music therapy. Recently, different innovative sound/music hardware interfaces have been designed, and are currently evaluated for the potential use of helping children with reduced hearing (hearing loss, deafness, cochlear implants) to explore and develop their sensitivity and discrimination of music and sound in a playful way. Conference: Tuning the Brain for Music, Helsinki, Finland, 5 Feb - 6 Feb, 2009. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Session Talks Citation: Friberg A, Bresin R, Falkenbe Hansen K and Fabiani M (2009). Enabling emotional expression and interaction with new expressive interfaces. Conference Abstract: Tuning the Brain for Music. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.09.2009.02.012 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Jan 2009; Published Online: 23 Jan 2009. * Correspondence: Anders Friberg, Department of Speech Music and Hearing,KTH School of Computer Science and Communication, Stockholm, Sweden, afriberg@csc.kth.se Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Anders Friberg Roberto Bresin Kjetil Falkenbe Hansen Marco Fabiani Google Anders Friberg Roberto Bresin Kjetil Falkenbe Hansen Marco Fabiani Google Scholar Anders Friberg Roberto Bresin Kjetil Falkenbe Hansen Marco Fabiani PubMed Anders Friberg Roberto Bresin Kjetil Falkenbe Hansen Marco Fabiani Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Relationship between the Step Test with Stipulated Tempos and Gait Ability in the Elderly

This study aimed to examine the performance characteristics of a step test with stipulated tempos, used to evaluate the dynamic balance ability of the elderly, as well as the relationship between this step test and walking ability. Ninety-two healthy older women (age 70.9+/-6.1 yr) who could walk independently, twice performed a 10 m walk at maximum speed and a step test for 20 sec with varying metronome tempos (40 bpm, 60 bpm, and 120 bpm). Subjects were divided into three groups (G1-G3) based on their 10 m gait time. Group 3 (G3), with the longest gait time, experienced the most falls.One evaluation parameter was the total time difference between the metronome sound and the time when the subject's foot hit the ground. The gait time was significantly related to the time difference in the 40 bpm and 60 bpm tempos (r=0.22-0.59). In step tests with slower tempos (40 bpm and 60 bpm), group G3 had a significantly larger time difference than the other two groups. In conclusion, a step test with slow tempos has a close relationship with the walking ability of the elderly and may be useful in evaluating their dynamic balance ability related to locomotion.

Acquired and congenital disorders of sung performance: A review

Many believe that the majority of people are unable to carry a tune. Yet, this widespread idea underestimates the singing abilities of the layman. Most occasional singers can sing in tune and in time, provided that they perform at a slow tempo. Here we characterize proficient singing in the general population and identify its neuronal underpinnings by reviewing behavioral and neuroimaging studies. In addition, poor singing resulting from a brain injury or neurogenetic disorder (i.e., tone deafness or congenital amusia) is examined. Different lines of evidence converge in indicating that poor singing is not a monolithic deficit. A variety of poor-singing "phenotypes" are described, with or without concurrent perceptual deficits. In addition, particular attention is paid to the dissociations between specific abilities in poor singers (e.g., production of absolute vs. relative pitch, pitch vs. time accuracy). Such diversity of impairments in poor singers can be traced to different faulty mechanisms within the vocal sensorimotor loop, such as pitch perception and sensorimotor integration.

Sound Level of Environmental Music and Drinking Behavior: A Field Experiment With Beer Drinkers

It had been found that environmental music was associated with an increase in alcohol consumption. The presence versus absence of music, high versus slow tempo and the different styles of environmental music is associated with different level of alcohol consumption. However, the effect of the level of the environmental music played in a bar still remained in question. Forty male beer drinkers were observed in a bar. According to a random distribution, patrons were exposed to the usual level of environmental music played in 2 bars where the experiment was carried out or were exposed to a high level. The results show that high level volume led to increase alcohol consumption and reduced the average amount of time spent by the patrons to drink their glass. The impact of environmental music on consumption was discussed and the "arousal" hypothesis and the negative effect of loud music on social interaction were used to explain our results.

Age and sex differences in various stepping movements of the elderly

This study aimed to examine sex and age differences of various stepping movements in the elderly and to clarify useful stepping movements for evaluation of their dynamic balance. Two hundred and eighty-six healthy elderly subjects who could walk independently (male mean age = 71.2 +/- 7.1 years; female mean age = 71.5 +/- 6.0) performed the following stepping tests: back and forth; up and down with a 5 cm tall step; and in-place stepping matching three tempos (44, 66 and 132 b.p.m.). Step number, single and double support times in the former two stepping tests, and time difference between metronome sound and grounding time in the latter tempo stepping tests were selected as evaluation parameters. An insignificant sex difference was found in all parameters. Hence, the data of men and women was pooled to examine age differences. Significant age differences were found in the step number and double support time of back and forth and up and down stepping tests and in the time difference of three tempo stepping tests. The step number in younger age groups and the support times in older age groups tended to be larger. No sex difference was found in evaluation parameters of all stepping tests, and all parameters tended to be superior in the younger elderly. The elderly experienced more difficulty matching slow tempos than fast tempos in the in-place stepping test. The back and forth, up and down and in-place matching tempo stepping tests may be useful for evaluating dynamic balance ability of the elderly.

Comparative Analyses of Coding and Noncoding DNA Regions Indicate that Acropora (Anthozoa: Scleractina) Possesses a Similar Evolutionary Tempo of Nuclear vs. Mitochondrial Genomes as in Plants

Evidence suggests that the mitochondrial (mt)DNA of anthozoans is evolving at a slower tempo than their nuclear DNA; however, parallel surveys of nuclear and mitochondrial variations and calibrated rates of both synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions across taxa are needed in order to support this scenario. We examined species of the scleractinian coral genus Acropora, including previously unstudied species, for molecular variations in protein-coding genes and noncoding regions of both nuclear and mt genomes. DNA sequences of a calmodulin (CaM)-encoding gene region containing three exons, two introns and a 411-bp mt intergenic spacer (IGS) spanning the cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH 2 genes, were obtained from 49 Acropora species. The molecular evolutionary rates of coding and noncoding regions in nuclear and mt genomes were compared in conjunction with published data, including mt cytochrome b, the control region, and nuclear Pax-C introns. Direct sequencing of the mtIGS revealed an average interspecific variation comparable to that seen in published data for mt cytb. The average interspecific variation of the nuclear genome was two to five times greater than that of the mt genome. Based on the calibration of the closure of Panama Isthmus (3.0 mya) and closure of the Tethy Seaway (12 mya), synonymous substitution rates ranged from 0.367% to 1.467% Ma(-1) for nuclear CaM, which is about 4.8 times faster than those of mt cytb (0.076-0.303% Ma(-1)). This is similar to the findings in plant genomes that the nuclear genome is evolving at least five times faster than those of mitochondrial counterparts.

Singing out of tune: Disturbances of vocal performance in the general population

Acoustical methods can provide a reliable and objective estimate of singing proficiency in the general population, in terms of pitch and temporal accuracy (e.g., Dalla Bella, Giguere, & Peretz, 2007). The majority, when asked to sing a well‐known song at a slow tempo, are as proficient as professional singers. Nonetheless, some nonmusicians exhibit poor singing. This deficit is mostly limited to the pitch domain and sometimes is not accompanied by impaired perception. More recently singing proficiency was examined in nonmusicians with tasks extending beyond singing familiar melodies. Forty participants imitated single pitches, intervals, and short melodies; in addition, participants sung three well‐known melodies at a spontaneous tempo and at a fixed slow tempo. Additional tasks (e.g., Montreal Battery of the Evaluation of Amusia) were carried out to assess participants' perceptual abilities. Acoustical analyses of vocal performance revealed that the majority of nonmusicians sung in tune and in time, thus...

Melody recognition at fast and slow tempos: Effects of age, experience, and familiarity

Eighty-one listeners defined by three age ranges (18-30, 31-59, and over 60 years) and three levels of musical experience performed an immediate recognition task requiring the detection of alterations in melodies. On each trial, a brief melody was presented, followed 5 sec later by a test stimulus that either was identical to the target or had two pitches changed, for a same-different judgment. Each melody pair was presented at 0.6 note/sec, 3.0 notes/sec, or 6.0 notes/sec. Performance was better with familiar melodies than with unfamiliar melodies. Overall performance declined slightly with age and improved substantially with increasing experience, in agreement with earlier results in an identification task. Tempo affected performance on familiar tunes (moderate was best), but not on unfamiliar tunes. We discuss these results in terms of theories of dynamic attending, cognitive slowing, and working memory in aging.

Control of bimanual rhythmic movements: trading efficiency for robustness depending on the context

This paper investigates how the efficiency and robustness of a skilled rhythmic task compete against each other in the control of a bimanual movement. Human subjects juggled a puck in 2D through impacts with two metallic arms, requiring rhythmic bimanual actuation. The arms kinematics were only constrained by the position, velocity and time of impacts while the rest of the trajectory did not influence the movement of the puck. In order to expose the task robustness, we manipulated the task context in two distinct manners: the task tempo was assigned at four different values (hence manipulating the time available to plan and execute each impact movement individually); and vision was withdrawn during half of the trials (hence reducing the sensory inflows). We show that when the tempo was fast, the actuation was rhythmic (no pause in the trajectory) while at slow tempo, the actuation was discrete (with pause intervals between individual movements). Moreover, the withdrawal of visual information encouraged the rhythmic behavior at the four tested tempi. The discrete versus rhythmic behavior give different answers to the efficiency/robustness trade-off: discrete movements result in energy efficient movements, while rhythmic movements impact the puck with negative acceleration, a property preserving robustness. Moreover, we report that in all conditions the impact velocity of the arms was negatively correlated with the energy of the puck. This correlation tended to stabilize the task and was influenced by vision, revealing again different control strategies. In conclusion, this task involves different modes of control that balance efficiency and robustness, depending on the context.