Do different musics interfere differently with the timing of repetitive isochronic movements? A project study on human healthy subjects

Our group has previously developed an experimental paradigm based on performance of repetitive isochronous wrist flexion-extensions (IWFEs) not requiring explicit time representation. IWFEs have been coupled to time-based audio stimuli. We found that timed auditory stimuli, expecially those in the high range of bpm, influence the timing of IWFEs in conditions of recall. Recalls of previously listened music reduce the rate of isochronous movements while recalls of clicks result in an increased rate of movements. At present we are investigating the ability of different timed musics - acknowledged being familiar vs unfamiliar - to shape perception of time and, consequently, to influence subsequent production of IWFEs. Selected subject are neither musically-trained nor listeners of classical music repertoire. We tested the differential behaviour of IWFEs in the conditions of listening of auditory stimuli, both metronome clicks and timed musical excerpts (as familiar, from contemporary entertainment music; as unfamiliar, from classical repertoire), and in recall conditions. Preliminary results suggest that music aknowledged being familiar univocally influences the timing of IWFEs in the conditions of recall whereas unfamiliar music evokes an assorted palette of results, veritably reflecting the listening biography of the single subjects or their attitude toward the unknown music message. Specific influence of music on movement tends to vanish with unfamiliarity, merging eventually with the one elicited by listening to simple clicks.