To determine whether the accuracy of students' aural perception of rhythmic completeness and incompleteness is influenced by melodic context, 2,207 public school students were administered a 42-item data-collection instrument based on 14 rhythmic units, 7 complete and 7 incomplete. Students heard each unit (1) on one pitch, (2) as part of a melody in which the completeness or incompleteness of the pitch sequence matched that of the rhythm, and (3) as part of a nonmatching melody; indicating, in each case, whether the unit was complete or incomplete. According to the results, accuracy is influenced by melodic context.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Broman, K. L.The effects of subjective rhythmic grouping observed under the influence of variable rates, frequencies, and tonal stimuli (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University, 1955). Dissertation Abstracts International, 1955, 16, 2535. (University Microfilms No. 17,941)
2.
Cooper, G., & Meyer, L. B.The rhythmic structure of music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1960.
3.
Farnsworth, P. R.The social psychology of music (2nd ed.). Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1969.
4.
Franklin, E.Measurement and development of musical abilities: Tonality as a basis for musical talent. Journal of Research in Music Education, 1969, 17, 58–61.
5.
Hartman, J. B.A gestalt theory of musical perception (Doctoral dissertation, Northwestern University, 1959). Dissertation Abstracts International, 1959, 20, 2332. (University Microfilms No. 59-4803)
6.
Kirk, R. E.Experimental design: Procedures for the behavioral sciences. Belmont, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, 1968.
7.
Koffka, K.Principles of Gestalt psychology. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1935.
8.
Laycock, H. R., & Nordgren, Q. R.First-year music theory. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1962.
9.
Machlis, J.Introduction to contemporary music. New York: Norton, 1961.
10.
Mainwaring, J.Experiments in the analysis of cognitive processes involved in musical ability and in musical education. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1931, 1, 180–203.
11.
Meyer, L. B.Emotion and meaning in music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1970.
12.
Meyers, L., & Grossen, N.Behavioral research: Theory, procedure, and design. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman, 1974.
13.
Peterson, A. V.A study of developmental listening factors in children's ability to understand melody (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Michigan, 1965). Dissertation Abstracts International, 1965, 27, 1855A. (University Microfilms No. 66-2362)
14.
Petzold, R. G.Auditory perception of musical sounds by children in the first six grades (U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; Office of Education; Cooperative Research Project No. 1051). Madison: The University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1966.
15.
Reimer, B.A philosophy of music education. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1970.
16.
Stetson, R. H., & Tuthill, T. E.Measurements of rhythmic unit-groups at different tempos. Psychological Monographs, 1923, 32(3, Whole No. 145).
