Brainstem Encoding Of Indian Carnatic Music in Individuals With and Without Musical Aptitude: A Frequency Following Response Study.

Abstract

Introduction:Brainstem evoked responses reflect the frequency and time-varying characteristics of sound and have been studied using click, tonal and speech stimuli as well as non-speech stimuli. However, music stimuli evoked frequency following response (FFR) will provide an in depth information on the pitch contours of its varying composition. Aim & Objective:To investigate the music transit encoding of frequency following response for individuals with musical aptitude and without musical aptitude. Methodology & Analysis:Sixty participants were divided into two groups as with and without musical aptitude based on the scores of ‘Questionnaire on music perception aptitude’and ‘The Music (Indian music) Perception Test Battery’. FFR was recorded for 127 ms Indian Carnatic music transit stimuli. In order to assess the participants pitch tracking to the music stimuli three measures of pitch tracking (stimulus to response correlation, pitch Strength and pitch error) were calculated. Results:The results reveals that the scores of the participants with musical aptitude for the parameters of pitch error was lesser pitch strength was better with more stimulus-to-response correlation than the participants without musical aptitude. Conclusion:Music is an intrinsically rewarding auditory activity, due to its activation of the brain’s mesolimbic reward network, though not formally trained but still with innate capability and experience dependent plasticity might incorporate an individual’s musical processing aptitude.