[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Rhythm



HARTMANN@PA.MSU.EDU wrote:
>
> Dear List,
>
> This is a question about the ability to perceive irregularity in
> rhythm. It comes from Boogie Bob, Lansing's foremost rhythm and blues
> artist.
>
>         What is the JND for perceiving an unequal division of a beat into
> two notes?
>
>         A quarter note beat could be divided into two eighth notes.
>         Theoretically, that would be a 50-50 division.
>
>         It could be divided into a dotted quarter and a sixteenth.
>         That would be a 75-25 division, clearly different from 50-50.
>
>         Can you distinguish between 75-25 and 67-33? How about 75-25
>         vs 70-30?
>
> Presumably the answer depends somehow on the tempo. How?
>
> Because this is a question about rhythm and not about the perception of tone
> duration, there needs to be a context. Probably it's best to think of a
> regular and indefinite repetition of the two-note sequence in question.
> That establishes the tempo and context.
>
> Anybody out there with information on this subject?
>
> Next: how about the ability to reliably PRODUCE such a division?
>
> Thanks,
> Bill

I believe that Saul Sternberg did some research on this topic back in
the early 80s. I dont know where he is right now, but maybe at U of Penn.
Jont
--
Jont B. Allen, Room B009; AT&T Labs-Research 180 Park AV; Florham Park NJ 07932
973/360-8545voice, x8092fax; http://www.research.att.com/info/jba;