Perception of hierarchical boundaries in music and its modulation by expertise.

摘要: Hierarchical structure with units of different timescales is a key feature music. For the perception such structures, detection each boundary crucial. Here, using electroencephalography (EEG), we explore hierarchical boundaries in music, and test whether musical expertise modifies processing. Musicians non-musicians were presented excerpts containing at three levels, including section, phrase period boundaries. Non-boundary was chosen as baseline condition. Recordings from musicians showed CPS (closure positive shift) evoked all boundaries, their amplitude increased level became higher, which suggest that could represent music events way. non-musicians, only elicited undistinguishable negativities induced The results indicate less clear way used by perception. Our findings reveal, for first time, an ERP correlate perceiving show phrasing ability be enhanced expertise.