Fundamental Frequency The fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency in a sound and serves as the foundation upon which all other frequencies (harmonics or overtones) are built. It's the primary frequency of vibration and determines the pitch of the sound. In musical terms, it's the note that you perceive as being the loudest or most prominent. Harmonics Harmonics, also known as overtones or partials, are frequencies that occur at integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. For instance, if the fundamental frequency is 100 Hz, the harmonics would be at 200 Hz, 300 Hz, and so on. These harmonics contribute to the timbre or quality of the sound, making a flute sound different from a violin even when they play the same note. Partials Partials refer to all the individual frequencies present in a sound, including the fundamental frequency and its harmonics. They contribute to the overall sound quality or timbre of an instrument. Some partials might not align perfectly with the harmonic series, especially in instruments with complex timbres. Overtones Overtones are all the frequencies above the fundamental frequency. The first overtone is the same as the first harmonic, the second overtone is the second harmonic, and so on. However, not all overtones are harmonics, especially in non-musical sounds. Noise In a musical context, noise refers to sounds that don't have a clear pitch or harmonic structure. It's often considered to be random and unpredictable. Instruments like cymbals or snare drums produce noise-like sounds. In electronic music, noise can be introduced through distortion or other effects. Spectrogram A spectrogram is a visual representation of the spectrum of frequencies in a sound as they vary over time. It's a tool that allows us to see how the intensity of different frequencies changes and can be especially useful in analyzing speech, animal calls, or complex musical passages. Perceptual Fusion/Fission Fusion and fission are processes related to how we group sounds. Fusion occurs when multiple sounds are perceived as coming from a single source, while fission is when a single sound is perceived as coming from multiple sources. These processes are influenced by factors like timbre, pitch, and spatial location. Onset Synchrony This refers to the simultaneous start of two or more sounds. In music, it's crucial for creating a sense of rhythm and cohesion, especially in ensemble settings. It's also a topic of interest in neuroscience, as our brains are sensitive to timing discrepancies. Harmonicity Harmonicity is the degree to which the components of a sound fit into a recognized pattern based on the harmonic series. Sounds with strong harmonicity are perceived as more musical or tonal, while inharmonic sounds can seem more dissonant or unfamiliar. Cochlea and Basilar Membrane The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals. Inside the cochlea is the basilar membrane, which vibrates in response to sound. Different parts of this membrane are sensitive to different sound frequencies due to its tonotopic organization. Dynamical System In the context of music cognition, a dynamical system refers to the interplay between various elements of music and how they evolve over time. It's a way of understanding music as a system where individual elements (like notes or rhythms) interact and influence each other, leading to the overall musical experience. Tonotopic Organization This refers to the spatial arrangement in the cochlea where different regions are sensitive to different sound frequencies. It's a fundamental aspect of how we perceive pitch, with each location in the cochlea corresponding to a specific frequency. Pitch Pitch is our perception of the frequency of a sound. It's a fundamental aspect of music and speech. While frequency is a physical measurement, pitch is a subjective experience. The harmonic content of a sound, including its fundamental frequency and overtones, determines its perceived pitch. Consonance/Dissonance Consonance and dissonance are terms that describe the perceived harmony or tension between notes. Consonant intervals or chords sound pleasant and resolved, while dissonant ones sound tense and may seek resolution. The perception of these qualities can be influenced by cultural and individual preferences. Statistical Learning This is the brain's ability to recognize patterns and regularities in different stimuli, including music. In music, it can refer to recognizing common sequences of notes or rhythms, which can be foundational for understanding musical structures and styles. Expressive Intonation Expressive intonation is the deliberate alteration of pitch to convey emotion, emphasis, or other expressive qualities in music. Musicians, especially those playing instruments with continuous pitch (like string instruments or the human voice), often use expressive intonation to enhance the emotional impact of their performance. This can involve subtle pitch variations that deviate from the expected or "standard" pitch to add expressiveness. Spectral Rolloff/Attenuation Spectral rolloff is a measure used in digital signal processing to identify the frequency below which a specified percentage of the total spectral energy lies. It's often used in audio processing to differentiate between harmonic content and noise. Acoustic attenuation, on the other hand, refers to the reduction in energy intensity of a sound wave as it propagates through a medium. Formants Formants are resonance frequencies of the human vocal tract. They play a significant role in determining the unique timbre of different vowel sounds in speech. When you change the shape of your mouth and position of your tongue, you're essentially altering the formants, which changes the vowel sound you produce. Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) These terms describe different phases of a sound envelope, which is a way to shape the amplitude of a sound over time. The "attack" is how quickly the sound reaches its maximum volume after being initiated. The "sustain" is how long the sound remains at that volume. The "release" is how long it takes for the sound to fade away after the sustain phase ends. In synthesizers, these parameters can be adjusted to shape the sound of a note or tone. Timbre Space Timbre space is a conceptual space where sounds are positioned based on their timbral characteristics. It's a way to visualize and understand the relationships between different sounds based on their unique tonal qualities or "colors." In this space, sounds that are perceived as similar in timbre are close together, while those that sound different are further apart. Rhythm Rhythm is the pattern of sound in time, often characterized by a combination of the duration, timing, and emphasis of notes. It's one of the fundamental elements of music and plays a crucial role in setting the mood, pace, and structure of a musical piece. Pulse/Beat The pulse, or beat, is the basic unit of time in a piece of music, the "heartbeat" that you would tap your foot to. It's the regular rhythmic pattern that underpins most music. While the terms are often used interchangeably, the pulse is the steady underlying beat, while individual beats are the rhythmic events that occur at intervals defined by the pulse. Meter Meter refers to the rhythmic structure of a piece of music. It's the pattern of strong and weak beats that repeat in a regular cycle. Common meters in Western music include duple (two beats per measure), triple (three beats), and quadruple (four beats). The meter provides a framework for the rhythm and helps determine the "feel" of a piece. Musical Rhythmic Behavior (MRB) MRB can be thought of as the constellation of skills and behaviors associated with perceiving, producing, and responding to rhythm in music. This includes the ability to keep time, anticipate rhythmic patterns, and adjust one's rhythm in response to external cues. It's a complex interplay of cognitive, motor, and perceptual processes. Musical Rhythmic Production This refers to the ability to produce rhythmic patterns, either vocally, instrumentally, or through body movements like clapping or dancing. It's not just about reproducing a rhythm but also involves anticipating and adjusting to rhythmic changes, especially in ensemble settings. Phase/Period Correction Phase and period correction mechanisms are essential for synchronizing actions with external events, especially in musical contexts. Phase correction adjusts for asynchronies between the last response and stimulus events, assuming an unchanged period. In contrast, period correction modifies the next target interval based on discrepancies between the timekeeper interval and the last few interstimulus intervals. This alters the period of the attentional musical pulse. These mechanisms are crucial for real-time interpersonal musical behaviors. Inter Onset Intervals (IOIs) IOIs refer to the time intervals between the onsets of successive events, such as musical notes. In the context of rhythm, visualizing IOIs in a three-dimensional rhythm space can help represent the relationships between different rhythmic patterns. Beat Induction Beat induction is the cognitive process that allows listeners to perceive a regular pulse or beat in music. This perception enables synchronization with the music, facilitating activities like dancing or playing along with the rhythm. Protomusicality Protomusicality refers to the early developmental stage where infants engage in music-like utterances, movements, and emotionally relevant interactions, primarily with primary caregivers. This stage does not focus primarily on sound itself. Teleomusicality Teleomusicality represents the goal-directed behaviors infants adopt to explore and play with sounds. It signifies a shift from protomusicality, emphasizing the emergence of exploratory, goal-directed musical actions in infancy. 4E Cognition The 4E cognition framework posits that cognition is Embodied, Embedded, Enacted, and Extended. This perspective challenges traditional views of cognition as merely brain-based processes, emphasizing the role of the body, environment, and tools in shaping cognitive experiences. Mirror neurons A type of brain cell that fires both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action. Canonical neurons, Activate when observing a graspable object and when performing the action of grasping that object. These neurons play a role in understanding and imitating actions. Intramusical Meaning Arises from the relationships within the musical information itself. Extramusical Emerges through references to the world outside the music. Musicogenic Meaning Pertains to the emotional effects elicited by music. Prolongational Structure Prolongational structure is a concept in music theory that deals with the hierarchical organization of musical events. It emphasizes tension and resolution patterns that contribute to our perception of musical direction and coherence. Construction Grammar Construction grammar is a theory of grammar that emphasizes the role of constructions, or learned pairings of form and function, in shaping language use. In the context of music, it suggests that musical grammar is not just about arranging sonic materials but also about how these materials are organized to realize specific social and cultural functions.
