Tonal regularity in a
scale and its relation to
temporal processing
centers of the brain
Key Words : Music and the mind, Music, tonal regularity, subdominant
and dominant tones, temporal accuracy, temporal processing, neural
synchrony
Written by Prof B.Sai Kiran Kumar Consultant neurofeedback trainer
BCIA USA, Sharath Manjunath
Psychologist and certified Neurofeedback trainer Presidency college,
Bangalore
Musical expressions are derived out
of combinations that arise from a
definitive scale relevant to a respective
emotion as a precursor. The root note
becomes an identifying factor for the
entire expression of the emotion played
in a sequence. The temporal lobe in our
brain is activated and also adheres to
notes that are relevant to the root, sub-
dominant and dominant portions of the
scale which is the first, fourth and fifth
notes. The reason associated with this
kind of response is the tonal regularity
and resolving nature of the musical
expression when these three notes
are used in a melody. It also creates a
network of memory related neuronal
pathways associated with recall value
and rhythm. These tones played at
regular intervals can activate cognitive
responses pertaining to perceptual
neural mechanisms.
Temporal accuracy is an important
factor to understand melodic phrases
and also cues associated with rhythm
and subsequent intervals associated
with the root note. This enables a
listener to discriminate between
identical and non-identical sequences
when a piece of music is played
which accounts for sensorimotor
synchronization. Any alterations in the
regular syncopated sequence can cause
variability in the judgment and affinity
towards a respective piece of music. This
is where the concept of genre selection
comes in to place wherein the listener
make a cognitive choice based upon
the sequence of melody played with the
feedback received from his temporal
cues of accuracy.
Musical frequencies are carried by the
auditory nerve to the brain. If the chord
is harmonic, or "consonant," the notes
are spaced neatly enough so that the
individual fibers of the auditory nerve
carry specific frequencies to the brain.
This principle is what scientists call
harmonicity and it is linked to temporal
lobe of the brain. In the context of
Western Music, it has been noted that
that two tones whose frequencies were
related by a simple ratio like an octave
produce the most pleasing, or consonant,
musical intervals. Researchers indicates
that sensory neurons react differently to
different tones. Each sends an electrical
signal to a third neuron, called an
interneuron, which sends a final signal
to the brain. The model’s interneuron
fires when it receives input from the
sensory neurons. The signals from the
sensory neurons arrive at the same
time if the tone is consonant, and so
the interneuron still fires just once,
then waits until it “recharges” before it
fires again. The result is a regular train
of pulses that reacts according to the
harmony played or heard.
Reference: Arnheim R. (1984). Perceptual dynamics in musical expression. Music. Q. 70, 295–309. 10.1093/mq/LXX.3.295
Barker A. (1978). Music and perception: a study in Aristoxenus. J. Hellen. Stud. 98, 9–16. 10.2307/630189
Arnal L. H., Giraud A. L. (2012). Cortical oscillations and sensory predictions. Trends Cogn. Sci. 16 390–398. 10.1016/j.tics.2012.05.003
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