A1 Journal article (refereed)
Exploring the accuracy of musical tempo memory : The effects of reproduction method, reference tempo, and musical expertise (2024)

Vigl, J., Koehler, F., & Henning, H. (2024). Exploring the accuracy of musical tempo memory : The effects of reproduction method, reference tempo, and musical expertise. Memory and Cognition, Early online. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-024-01543-6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Vigl, Julia; Koehler, Friederike; Henning, Heike

Journal or series: Memory and Cognition

ISSN: 0090-502X

eISSN: 1532-5946

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 20/03/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Springer Nature

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-024-01543-6

Research data link: https://osf.io/kghn9/?view_only=c7b06e91a84a4fe0a991ee7e10a1c83d

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94456

Abstract

Although people commonly remember and recreate the tempo of musical pieces with high accuracy, comparatively less is known regarding sources of potential variation in musical tempo memory. This study therefore aimed to investigate musical tempo memory accuracy and the effects of reference tempo, reproduction method, musical expertise, and their interaction. A sample of 403 individuals with varying levels of musical training participated in the experimental online study, including nonmusicians, amateur musicians, and professional musicians. Participants were tasked with reproducing the tempos of 19 popular pop/rock songs using two methods: tempo tapping and adjusting the tempo of the audio file based on the previously tapped tempo. Results from multilevel models revealed overall high accuracy in tempo memory, with tempo adjusting yielding greater accuracy compared with tempo tapping. Higher musical expertise was associated with increased accuracy in tempo production. In addition, we observed a quadratic effect of reference tempo, with the greatest accuracy in tempo reproduction around 120 bpm. Gender, age, familiarity with the pieces, and accompaniment strategies were also associated with greater accuracy. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing musical tempo memory and have implications for understanding the cognitive processes involved in tempo perception and reproduction.

Keywords: tempo; music; memory (cognition); remembrance; musicians; professionals; amateurs (enthusiasts)

Free keywords: musical tempo memory; musical expertise; tempo perception; tempo reproduction; tapping

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Preliminary JUFO rating: 2