In search of new functions of music processing

Alicja Kozłowska-Lewna

Abstract

This article represents an interdisciplinary survey of recent research into music processing. The author discusses the development of music processing during the first decade of a child's life, the disorder of amusia and issues related to absolute pitch, as well as highlighting the connection between music processing and some cognitive abilities.

The level of musical aptitude is remarkably high from the moment of birth. Infants are born with the potential to process sounds from various cultures and can recognise subtle differences in melody and rhythm better than adults. Sensitivity to aural stimuli decreases with age, and the learning of pure intonation is over around the age of nine. Hence the first decade of life is crucial for the correct development of auditory abilities.

Amusia is a very rare disorder that affects between around 2.5 and 4 per cent of the population worldwide. In Poland, however, educational negligence has left 27 percent of ten-year-old primary school pupils monotonic (A. Weiner).

In the subject literature, a distinction is made between congenital and acquired amusia. Acquired amusia is a consequence of brain damage. In the author’s opinion, the definition of congenital amusia applied by a Canadian centre (Isabelle Peretz: ‘Congenital amusia, commonly known as “tone-deafness”, refers to a musical disability that cannot be explained by prior brain lesion, hearing loss, cognitive defects, or lack of environmental stimulation’) is open to doubt. The absence of a conducive music environment is a vague concept. Some researchers (e.g. J. A. Sloboda) suggest that the main cause of amusia is educational negligence. It has been confirmed that amusia is accompanied by limited motoric and sensory functions, impaired memory and organic disorders (reduced amount of grey matter, reduced amount of white matter, impaired synaptic network, impaired network of connections between the cerebral hemispheres, underdeveloped auditory cortex).

Current research into absolute pitch is increasingly focused on its connection with the brain’s plasticity and accompanying cognitive abilities. It has been confirmed that a strong correlation exists between absolute pitch and early musical education. The anatomical and neuronal foundations for developing this ability prove that it can be regarded as a ‘music-specific manifestation’ of various cognitive abilities. Some individuals with absolute pitch have been observed to possess more extended neuronal networks, larger amounts of grey and white matter, and greater memory capacity.

The major objective of this article is to provide evidence for the claim that musicality can be treated as a model for gauging other cognitive abilities, especially memory.