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Processing of hierarchical syntactic structure in music

Author(s)
Rohrmeier, Martin Alois; Koelsch, Stefan; Torrecuso, Renzo; Jentschke, Sebastian
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Abstract
Hierarchical structure with nested nonlocal dependencies is a key feature of human language and can be identified theoretically in most pieces of tonal music. However, previous studies have argued against the perception of such structures in music. Here, we show processing of nonlocal dependencies in music. We presented chorales by J. S. Bach and modified versions in which the hierarchical structure was rendered irregular whereas the local structure was kept intact. Brain electric responses differed between regular and irregular hierarchical structures, in both musicians and nonmusicians. This finding indicates that, when listening to music, humans apply cognitive processes that are capable of dealing with long-distance dependencies resulting from hierarchically organized syntactic structures. Our results reveal that a brain mechanism fundamental for syntactic processing is engaged during the perception of music, indicating that processing of hierarchical structure with nested nonlocal dependencies is not just a key component of human language, but a multidomain capacity of human cognition.
Date issued
2013-09
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/87994
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
Citation
Koelsch, S., M. Rohrmeier, R. Torrecuso, and S. Jentschke. “Processing of Hierarchical Syntactic Structure in Music.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110, no. 38 (September 17, 2013): 15443–15448.
Version: Final published version
ISSN
0027-8424
1091-6490

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