> 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
Rob, The attached paper should provide you with background for studying
effects of timbre on pitch perception, as well as training effects.
Russo, F.A. & Thompson, W.F. (2005). An interval size illusion: Extra pitch
influences on the perceived size of melodic intervals. Perception &
Psychophysics, 67(4), 559-568.
See also:
Warrier, C. M., & Zatorre, R. J. (2002). Influence of tonal context and
timbral variation on perception of pitch. Perception & Psychophysics, 64,
198-207.
Beal A.L. (1985): The skill of recognizing musical structures. Memory &
Cognition 13, 405-412.
Bill Thompson
> 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
>
>