effects of musical experience on pitch perception?

["G. Robert Arrabito" <Robert.Arrabito@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear list,

I am writing to get some input from the list that may help me 
interpret my data.  Specifically, I recently ran a study that 
investigated the effect of timbre on pitch perception for two groups 
of eight participants who had normal hearing: those who had formal 
experience playing a musical instrument (musicians), and those who 
had no formal experience playing a musical instrument 
(nonmusicians).  Prior to participation in the experimental session, 
each participant was given a detailed demonstration of pitch and 
timbre, and then was evaluated in a training session that screened to 
ensure that he/she understood these attributes.  A score of chance or 
better was required to proceed to the experimental session.  I note 
that 7/15 (46.67% of the musicians failed the training procedure and 
22/30 (73.33%) of the nonmusicians failed the training procedure.  In 
analyzing my data, I found no statistical difference in performance 
between musicians and nonmusicians.  I am thus wondering whether this 
might be due to my training procedure or whether pitch/timbre is an 
inherent "skill" regardless of any formal musical experience.  (I 
acknowledge that studies have reported mixed outcomes on musical 
experience.)  Any comments or suggestions for recommended reading 
that would help me put things into perspective would be greatly appreciated.


Regards,

Rob

--
Robert Arrabito
Defence R&D Canada - Toronto
1133 Sheppard Avenue West
P.O. Box 2000
Toronto, ON  M3M 3B9
Canada

phone: (416) 635-2033
CSN: 634-2033
fax: (416) 635-2013
e-mail: Robert.Arrabito@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.toronto.drdc-rddc.gc.ca