The purpose of the study was to test auditory discrimination of modulated tempi. Two hundred musicians and nonmusicians participated. Stimuli consisted of selected tempi that were varied to increase, decrease, or remain constant. Tempi were presented in two sets of 25 trials each and were varied at the rate of 10 mm per minute. Subjects were asked to indicate if each trial seemed faster, slower, or remained the same. Subjects were also asked to estimate the final metronomic markings or beats per minute of each trial. Results of the study indicate that (1) all subjects better discriminate slower tempi compared to faster tempi; (2) all subjects estimate tempi to be slower than the actual speed of the tempi; and (3) musicians are more accurate in tempi assessments compared to nonmusicians.
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