Hemispheric asymmetry and the processing of harmonies in music

Author(s): Gallasch, E., Schulter, G.

Journal/Book: Int J Neurosci. 1989; 47: 131-40.

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate to what extent the concept of hemispheric specialization is of importance for the perception and processing of harmonies in music. The method involves presenting mistuned intervals monaurally, which have to be tuned with a joy-stick. Subjects were divided according to their previous musical training and according to their ear and eye dominance. The accuracy of the tuning-performance yields data for an univariate analysis of variance. From the results the conclusion is drawn that the right hemisphere is more sensitive to the dimension of musical harmony. This superiority is discussed with respect to different theories of hearing and the question, if the observed differences are the expression of an innate or a learned ability.

Keyword(s): Auditory Pathways physiology; Brain physiology; Laterality physiology; Music Human

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