This continuation proposal extends the applicant's investigations into the expressive microstructure of music - the systematic variations in timing, dynamics, and articulation that make performed music expressive and aesthetically appealing.
The aim of the research is to investigate specific issues in the perception, production, and evaluation of expressive microstructure, primarily by musically trained individuals. The focus is on timing in piano performance, and the experiments make innovative use of computer-controlled pianos and MIDI technology for data collection and stimulus generation. The perceptual studies are concerned with the detection of timing perturbations in musical excerpts as a probe into the structural determinants of expressive timing. These studies investigate a previously demonstrated close relation between timing perception and performance and try to determine its causes. Experimental studies of music performance and aesthetics focus on the interaction of timing with other expressive dimensions (tempo, dynamics) and on the relation between typicality and aesthetic preference. Analyses of performances of the same music by different pianists will assess individual differences in interpretation and look for objective hallmarks of expertise, aiming at a better understanding of conventionality and originality, the two opposing forces guiding music performance. By investigating expressive microstructure from many angles, the applicant hopes to build bridges between music psychology and other ares (including kinematics, musicology, and aesthetics) and to achieve a better understanding of the nature of expressiveness in Western classical music, a sophisticated system of nonverbal communication that greatly enhances the quality of lives of many individuals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH051230-06
Application #
2890568
Study Section
Perception and Cognition Review Committee (PEC)
Program Officer
Kurtzman, Howard S
Project Start
1993-09-01
Project End
2000-08-31
Budget Start
1999-05-01
Budget End
2000-08-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Haskins Laboratories, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
060010147
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06511
Repp, Bruno H (2008) Multiple temporal references in sensorimotor synchronization with metrical auditory sequences. Psychol Res 72:79-98
Keller, Peter E; Repp, Bruno H (2008) Multilevel coordination stability: integrated goal representations in simultaneous intra-personal and inter-agent coordination. Acta Psychol (Amst) 128:378-86
Repp, Bruno H (2007) Perceiving the numerosity of rapidly occurring auditory events in metrical and nonmetrical contexts. Percept Psychophys 69:529-43
Repp, Bruno H; Knoblich, Gunther (2007) Toward a psychophysics of agency: detecting gain and loss of control over auditory action effects. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 33:469-82
Repp, Bruno H (2006) Does an auditory distractor sequence affect self-paced tapping? Acta Psychol (Amst) 121:81-107
Keller, Peter E; Repp, Bruno H (2005) Staying offbeat: sensorimotor syncopation with structured and unstructured auditory sequences. Psychol Res 69:292-309
Repp, Bruno H (2005) Sensorimotor synchronization: a review of the tapping literature. Psychon Bull Rev 12:969-92
Patel, Aniruddh D; Iversen, John R; Chen, Yanqing et al. (2005) The influence of metricality and modality on synchronization with a beat. Exp Brain Res 163:226-38
Repp, Bruno H; Knoblich, Gunther (2004) Perceiving action identity: how pianists recognize their own performances. Psychol Sci 15:604-9
Repp, Bruno H (2004) Comments on ""Rapid motor adaptations to subliminal frequency shifts during syncopated rhythmic sensorimotor synchronization"" by Michael H. Thaut and Gary P. Kenyon (Human Movement Science 22 [2003] 321-338). Hum Mov Sci 23:61-77; discussion 79-86

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