Feature based representations map differently to music perception as a function of nature and duration of training: Evidence based on Mini-PROMS in Indian context

Musical ability is part of human nature and develops naturally. Music perception skills vary widely in the general population. However, previous research has mostly focused on the investigation of music production and not much on normative variations in music perception skills as it may have an impact on music education as well as neuroplasticity induced by music (Kragness & Swaminathan et al, 2021; Swaminathan et al., 2018). Music perception skills include the ability to detect modulations in melody, tuning, tempo, accent etc. Most of the previous work is based on self-reported musical ability and training effects on music perception. However, an objective assessment could inform about the nature of normative differences in music perception skills (Law & Zentner, 2012). We investigated the variations in music perception skills in tonal and temporal domains among a heterogeneous group of participants including musicians (musically trained) and non-musicians (musically untrained individuals) using the Profile of Music Perception Skills (PROMS-Mini) in Indian context. We also examined how music perception skill is constructed as a function of duration and nature of training. We found that among the four subtests of PROMS-Mini, tempo has a comparatively lower discrimination threshold across all participants. We found that not only is Music Perception Skill significantly different between musicians and non-musicians but also it is differently constructed (PC1) through the features as a function of duration and nature of training. Musicians with more training have more cohesive understanding of the features while beginners (< 3 years of training) are more dependent on tuning. Since the tempo discrimination threshold is universally low, non-musicians have higher reliance on tempo. In case of instrumental training, the music perception of western instrument players is primarily modulated by tonal features like melody and that of eastern instrument players is more modulated by temporal features such as accent.