Pitch Change Recognition as a Function of Duration in Successive Dichotic Stimuli

Abstract

The interactive effects of time and frequency on recognition of pitch change in three element sequences were assessed by dichotic listening tests. Musicians demonstrated greater accuracy of pitch change recognition than did non-musicians. Both musicians and nonmusicians showed greater recognition of pitch change in the left ear than in the right ear. However, pitch processing did occur in the right ear for all subjects. The difference in performance between ears was greatest for musicians. As time (duration/rhythm) became more complex, pitch change recognition was reduced in all listeners. Musicians were better able to use the temporal cues to support good pitch change recognition than non-musicians. The data were interpreted to suggest that the right hemisphere was generally more efficient in recognition of pitch change than the left hemisphere.