Includes an exploration of working memory models from a musical standpoint. / A musical key can only be retained in memory for approximately 20 seconds. However, other factors may be influencing the strength of this retention. The current study tests the influence of time and number of events (chords) in an intervening key on the deterioration in memory of a nonadjacent key. Stimuli first established a major key using traditional harmonic rules, then modulated to an intervening key that was either 6 or 9 seconds in duration and formed from either 4 or 6 chords. Stimuli then returned to the original key in a probe cadence. Participants were asked to rate this cadence in terms of its sense of closure. It was revealed that there is a significant negative effect of time on the probe cadence though no effect of number of events was found. This suggests that spending more time in an intervening key, and not the number of intervening chords, diminishes the memory of the original key. However, it is unclear from this study where in memory the nonadjacent key relationship is processed. Relevant literature is examined to form a working hypothesis with the goal of strengthening future studies with a capable foundation in memory research and theories. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / We have a very short memory span for musical keys. Humans can only remember a key for approximately 20 seconds after it’s changed. However, it is unclear whether it is time spent away from the key that makes us forget or if it is the number of chords we heard in a second, interrupting key. The current study tests this distinction using nonadjacent key relationships—in which a key is established, a different key interrupts for a random amount of time and number of chords before returning to the original key for two target chords. Results confirmed previous findings as there was a significant effect of time on memory. However, there was no effect of number of chords, suggesting that it is the length of time spent away from a key, not number of chords that has an effect on memory.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/23974 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Spyra, Joanna |
| Contributors | Woolhouse, Matthew, Psychology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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