New research explores the different ways in which the brain distinguishes between music and speech.
The human ability to recognize patterns in pitch and tempo may emerge from pre-existing abilities in other species.
Frequency follow response (FFR) is a strong predictor of a person's ability to recognize and name musical notes, and may be an accurate metric for understanding a person's ability to recognize sounds. FFR may not be a fixed trait and can be improved over time.
Although musical perception is universal, musical training alters the perception of music.
Study of macaque monkeys reveals speech and music may have shaped the human brain's auditory networks. Researchers found specific areas of the human brain have a stronger preference for pitch than that of primates, raising the possibility certain sounds, which are embedded in music and speech, may have shaped the organization of our brains.
Researchers report we recognize patterns in music automatically, even with no musical training.
