Identification of NOTE-50 with stimuli variation in individuals with and without musical training

Abstract

Background: Music perception is a multidimensional concept. The perception of music and identification of a ra:ga depends on many parameters such as tempo variation, ra:ga variation, stimuli (vocal/instrument) variation, and singer variation. From these, the most important and relevant factor which is important for the perception of the ra:ga is the stimuli and the singer variation. However, the identification of a ra:ga also depends on an individual's music perception abilities. This study was aimed to compare the NOTE-50 (the minimum number of notes required to identify a ra:ga with 50% accuracy) identification of two different ra:gas with vocal or instrumental rendering in individuals with and without musical training. Methods: Thirty participants were divided into two groups as with and without musical training based on the scores of “Questionnaire on music perception ability” and “The Music (Indian music) Perception Test Battery.” Two basic ra:gas Kalya:ni ra:ga and ma:ya:ma:lļavagavlļa ra:ga of Carnatic music was taken as test stimuli. An experienced musician played violin in these two ra:gas in octave scale. Two ra:gas were also recorded in vocal (male and female singer) and instrumental rendering. These ra:gas were edited and slided for each note and combination of the notes. Hence, a total of 16 stimuli were prepared which were randomly presented 10 times for identification task. Results and Conclusion: The results revealed that there was a difference in perception of all the variations of the stimuli for those with musical training and without musical training. The stimuli with male rendering had better identification scores of NOTE-50 than the other stimuli. The number of notes required to identify a ra:ga correctly was lesser for participants with musical training. This could be due to the musical training and their better perceptual ability for music. Hence, it's concluded that identification, perceiving, understanding, and enjoying music require superior musical perceptual ability which could be achieved through musical training.