Physical Effects of Music

Question 1

What rhythmic elements do we react to in music?

Answer 1

Sensorimotor synchronization (SMS)

Question 2

What is beat induction?

Answer 2

The process by which we can identify a regular pulse in a piece of music

Question 3

What is sensorimotor synchronization (SMS)?

Answer 3

The coordination of rhythmic movement with rhythmic sensory stimuli

Question 4

What do we mean when we say that reacting to music is a sensori-motor process?

Answer 4

We take what we listen to (auditory and sensory systems) and we move to it in a coordinated way (motor system)

Question 5

How are sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) and beat induction similar?

Answer 5

They are similar in that both require identifying the regular pulse/beat in the music. It is almost exclusively seen in humans (but also dancing cockatoos)

Question 6

What is entrainment?

Answer 6

Synchronization of an organism to an external rhythmic pattern

Question 7

What is groove?

Answer 7

Wanting to move in response to music and the positive affect associated with sensorimotor coupling

Question 8

What musical characteristics are predictive of “high” groove?

Answer 8

Slope of the attack, low frequency range, beat salience (stronger amplitude)

Question 9

What is occurring during synchronization?

Answer 9

Neurons are firing rhythmically in the brain (Seen with EEG)

Question 10

What occurs at 2.4 Hz within the brain?

Answer 10

A population of neurons fires in sync with the beat of the song, there is steady-state evoked potential at the same frequency of a steady beat

Question 11

What has to happen neurally for beat induction?

Answer 11

Entrainment must occur

Question 12

SMS vs Groove

Answer 12

SMS is the ability to coordinate rhythmic movement with rhythmic sensory stimuli and groove is about wanting to move in response to the music