Multiple timescales of context influence perceptual sensitivity to common pairings of musical pitch and timbre.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have established that musical pitch and timbre (specifically, spectral shape) perceptually covary: lower pitches are associated with darker timbres (less higher-frequency energy) and higher pitches are associated with brighter timbres (more higher-frequency energy). In four experiments, perceptual sensitivity to this relationship was assessed in pitch labeling tasks when instrument timbre varied in ways that respected or violated this pattern (Consistent or Reversed trials). Performance was influenced by context at multiple timescales: block-level (stimulus type), experimental session-level (block order or configuration), and longer-term experience (musical training background). Across experiments, participants performed near ceiling accuracy for Consistent stimuli, but we

SUBMITTER: Stilp CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12273972 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature