The purpose of this study was to determine how pitch and rhythm aspects of melodic memory are affected by aural distractions when melodic stimuli are presented both visually and aurally, as compared to aurally only. The rationale for this research is centered on the need for improved melodic memory skills of students taking melodic dictation, and the possibility that temporary visual imagery storage of target melodies might enhance those skills. The participants in this study were undergraduate and graduate music majors (n=41) at a large northeastern university. All participants had successfully completed the first two semesters of college-level music theory, and none had perfect pitch. Participants progressed through two self-contained experimental tests at the computer. Identical target melodies were presented: 1) aurally only on one test; and 2) aurally, with visual presentation of the matching notation, on the other test. After the target melody, a distraction melody sounded, during which time participants were to maintain the original target melody in memory. Participants then chose which of two aural options matched the original target, with a third choice of "neither." The incorrect answer choice in each item contained either a pitch or rhythm discrepancy. The 2x2 factorial design of this experiment was based on independent variables of test presentation format and answer discrepancy type. The dependent variable was experimental test scores. Each participant took both parts of both tests, yielding 164 total observations. Additional data were collected for exploratory analysis: the order in which each participant took the tests, the major instrument of each participant, and the educational status of each participant (undergraduate or graduate). Results of a 2x2 ANOVA revealed no significant differences in test scores, based on either test format or answer discrepancy type, and no interaction between the factors. The exploratory analyses revealed no significant differences in test scores, based on test order, major instrument, or student status. Results suggest that visual reinforcement of melodies does not affect aural memory for those melodies, in terms of either pitch or rhythm. Suggestions for further research include an aural-visual melodic memory test paired with a learning modalities survey, a longitudinal study of visual imagery applied to aural skills study, and a detailed survey of strategies used by successful and unsuccessful dictation students. / Music Education / Accompanied by two .wmv files: 1) Audio-OnlyTest.wmv. 2) Audio-VisualTest.wmv.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TEMPLE/oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/576 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Buonviri, Nathan |
| Contributors | Sheldon, Deborah A., 1958-, Reynolds, Alison (Alison M.), Klein, Michael Leslie, Brodhead, Richard, 1947- |
| Publisher | Temple University. Libraries |
| Source Sets | Temple University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 135 pages |
| Rights | IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Relation | http://dx.doi.org/10.34944/dspace/558, Theses and Dissertations |
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