Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Electrical Neuroimaging of Music Processing in Pianists With and Without True Absolute Pitch

Published inFrontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 13
Publication date2019
Abstract

True absolute pitch (AP), labeling of pitches with semitone precision without a reference, is classically studied using isolated tones. However, AP is acquired and has its function within complex dynamic musical contexts. Here we examined event-related brain responses and underlying cerebral sources to endings of short expressive string quartets, investigating a homogeneous population of young highly trained pianists with half of them possessing true-AP. The pieces ended regularly or contained harmonic transgressions at closure that participants appraised. Given the millisecond precision of ERP analyses, this experimental plan allowed examining whether AP alters music processing at an early perceptual, or later cognitive level, or both, and which cerebral sources underlie differences with non-AP musicians. We also investigated the impact of AP on general auditory cognition. Remarkably, harmonic transgression sensitivity did not differ between AP and non-AP participants, and differences for auditory cognition were only marginal. The key finding of this study is the involvement of amicrostate peaking around 60ms after musical closure, characterizing AP participants. Concurring sources were estimated in secondary auditory areas, comprising the planum temporale, all transgression conditions collapsed. These results suggest that AP is not a panacea to become a proficient musician, but a rare perceptual feature.

Keywords
  • Complex music
  • Electrical source imaging
  • ERP microstate analysis
  • Trained pianists
  • True absolute
  • Pitch
Citation (ISO format)
COLL, Sélim Yahia et al. Electrical Neuroimaging of Music Processing in Pianists With and Without True Absolute Pitch. In: Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2019, vol. 13. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00142
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
Identifiers
Journal ISSN1662-453X
641views
273downloads

Technical informations

Creation15/04/2019 21:50:00
First validation15/04/2019 21:50:00
Update10/05/2023 15:26:06
Status update10/05/2023 15:26:06
Last indexation31/10/2024 13:15:54
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack