The Effect of Memory and Presentation Mode in Melodic Error Detection

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Effect of Memory and Presentation Mode in Melodic Error Detection
Language: English
Authors: Bryan E. Nichols (ORCID 0000-0002-8970-3284), Logan Barrett
Source: Journal of Research in Music Education. 2025 72(4):376-394.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Music Education, Error Patterns, Auditory Stimuli, Short Term Memory, Student Characteristics, Auditory Perception, Majors (Students), Visual Stimuli, College Students, Recall (Psychology)
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Digit Span Test
DOI: 10.1177/00224294231225408
ISSN: 0022-4294
1945-0095
Abstract: Previous research has variably indicated the role of working memory in error detection by which working memory played a role in rhythmic error detection but not melodic error detection. Here, we devised a longer melodic error detection task for college musicians in an auditory, rather than visual, condition using classical excerpts, which we compared to briefer visual and auditory control conditions. These tests were compared to performance on a test of verbal working memory (forward digit span test) and an experimenter-created tonal working memory test. The tonal working memory test was positively related to the forward digit span test, the melodic error detection, and the visual control but not to the auditory control. Performance on the error detection test was not significantly related to year in school, level of aural skills class, years of private piano, or level of group piano class. Our participants performed similarly on the aurally presented melodic error detection of classical excerpts and the briefer visual control but not on the briefer aural control. Among other variables, years of experience on a second instrument was a significant predictor of error detection skill. High familiarity ratings with a classical excerpt did not yield a relationship to error detection performance.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1457542
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Previous research has variably indicated the role of working memory in error detection by which working memory played a role in rhythmic error detection but not melodic error detection. Here, we devised a longer melodic error detection task for college musicians in an auditory, rather than visual, condition using classical excerpts, which we compared to briefer visual and auditory control conditions. These tests were compared to performance on a test of verbal working memory (forward digit span test) and an experimenter-created tonal working memory test. The tonal working memory test was positively related to the forward digit span test, the melodic error detection, and the visual control but not to the auditory control. Performance on the error detection test was not significantly related to year in school, level of aural skills class, years of private piano, or level of group piano class. Our participants performed similarly on the aurally presented melodic error detection of classical excerpts and the briefer visual control but not on the briefer aural control. Among other variables, years of experience on a second instrument was a significant predictor of error detection skill. High familiarity ratings with a classical excerpt did not yield a relationship to error detection performance.
ISSN:0022-4294
1945-0095
DOI:10.1177/00224294231225408