Absolute tempo in multiple performances of aboriginal songs: Analyzing recordings of Djanba 12 and Djanba 14

Bailes, Freya; Barwick, Linda

Abstract

Songs that are not notated but transmitted through live performance are of particular interest for the psychological study of the stability of tempo across multiple performances. While experimental research points to highly accurate memory for the tempi of wellknown recorded music, this study asks whether there is any evidence of absolute tempo in a performance tradition that does not draw on such reference recordings. Fifty-four field recordings of performances of one Aboriginal dance-song, Djanba 14, were analyzed. Results showed that over a span of 34 years, performance tempi deviated positively or negatively, on average, by 2%. Such small tempo variation is similar to JND thresholds to discriminate the tempi of isochronous sequences. Thirtyfive field recordings of another song from the same repertory, Djanba 12, deviated in tempi by an average of 3%. We discuss the musical, psychological, physical, and cultural factors likely to shape such temporal stability.

Citation

Bailes, F., & Barwick, L. (2011). Absolute tempo in multiple performances of aboriginal songs: Analyzing recordings of Djanba 12 and Djanba 14. Music Perception, 28(5), 473-490. https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2011.28.5.473

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2011
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Music Perception
• Print ISSN: 0730-7829
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-8312
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 473-490
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2011.28.5.473
• Keywords: Music
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/467250
• Publisher URL: http://mp.ucpress.edu/content/28/5/473