Deterministic multi-level rhythmical patterns (MLP), and some examples of their uses in rhythm research
Research directed towards understanding rhythm perception by the human mind has predominantly used sequences of identical sounds with isochronous temporal spacing and very simple perturbations of such sequences. Such sequences are however unusual in music, the domain to which rhythm is chiefly attributed. Instead, most music is characterized by a multi-level temporal hierarchy, as reflected by duration values dominated by integer relations of two or three. Deterministic multi-level patterns (MLP) that allow total experimental control can very easily be adopted for a range of research questions, however, and I propose that the principal MLP pattern described in PLoS ONE, 4(12), e8151, may for practical research purposes serve as a generic template for musical rhythm. That paper describes how a MLP is controlled to create an illusion of infinite tempo change, in the spirit of Roger Shepard’s circularity in pitch and the work of Jean-Claude Risset. The purpose of the present talk is to advertise the use of MLP through a few examples that include questions related to preferred tempo (how relatively pleasing or comfortable are different tempi to listen to), personal or spontaneous tempo (the tempo that people choose to produce as being most comfortable), and groove, which is the sensation of wanting to move one’s body.
presentation slides available here