Variability of timing in expressive piano performance increases with interval duration

Journal/Book: Psychonomic Bull Rev. 1997; 4: 1710 Fortview Rd, Austin, TX 78704. Psychonomic Soc Inc. 530-534.

Abstract: In simple motor tasks such as finger tapping at different constant rates, within-trial variability of response interonset intervals (IOIs) increases with IOI duration (which varies between trials). In expressive piano performance, the rate of key depressions is not constant, in part due to compositional structure and in part due to expressive timing, so that IOIs of many different durations occur within a single ''trial.'' Nevertheless, across repeated performances of the same music (Schumann's ''Traumerei'' and Debussy's ''La fille aux cheveux de lin'') at the same intended tempo, the standard deviations of individual IOIs tend to increase linearly with their average duration. This is also true when the variation is due to expressive timing alone and when unintended differences in basic tempo between performances are taken into account. In the music studied here, at least, there was no evidence of compensatory timing. The results suggest that the pianists employed a continuously variable tempo governed by a flexible internal timekeeper whose variability follows a generalized Weber's law (for IOIs longer than about 300 msec).

Note: Article Repp BH, Haskins Labs Inc, 270 Crown St, New Haven,CT 06511 USA

Keyword(s): MUSIC PERFORMANCE; TEMPORAL INTERVALS; SCHUMANN TRAUMEREI; GLOBAL TEMPO; DISCRIMINATION; MICROSTRUCTURE; SENSITIVITY; PERCEPTION; SEQUENCES; MODEL

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