Neural processing of musical timbre by musicians, nonmusicians, and musicians possessing absolute pitch

• DOI: 10.1121/1.409840
• Publication Date: 2005-10-17T19:54:50Z
• Authors: Garry C. Crummer; Joseph P. Walton; John W. Wayman; Edwin C. Hantz; Robert D. Frisina
• Keywords: Timbre; Absolute pitch; Musical tone; Cello; Relative pitch

Cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured during a timbre discrimination task from three subject groups varying in musical experience. The P3 component of the ERP was recorded musicians with absolute pitch, without and nonmusicians comprising timbres difficulty. three-timbre series, all which consisted same (1) string instruments family (cello viola), (2) flutes made different materials (silver wood), (3) slightly size (B-flat versus F tubas). amplitude latency varied systematically as function experience type discrimination. difficult resulted mean amplitudes larger for relative to nonmusicians, however similar two additional series. latencies shorter when compared across In comparison, AP subjects displayed shortest latencies, but had smaller both nonmusicians. implications these findings suggest that perceptual tasks involving one fundamental building blocks music, namely timbre, does elicit differential brain activity memory or information processing systems degrees training.