The fast and the slow of skilled bimanual rhythm production: parallel versus integrated timing.
Professional pianists performed 2 bimanual rhythms at a wide range of different tempos. The polyrhythmic task required the combination of 2 isochronous sequences (3 against 4) between the hands; in the syncopated rhythm task successive keystrokes formed intervals of identical (isochronous) durations. At slower tempos, pianists relied on integrated timing control merging successive intervals between the hands into a common reference frame. A timer-motor model is proposed based on the concepts of rate fluctuation and the distinction between target specification and timekeeper execution processes as a quantitative account of performance at slow tempos. At rapid rates expert pianists used hand-independent, parallel timing control. In alternative to a model based on a single central clock, findings support a model of flexible control structures with multiple timekeepers that can work in parallel to accommodate specific task constraints.
Krampe
R T
RT
Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Germany. krampe@rz.uni-potsdam.de
Kliegl
R
R
Mayr
U
U
Engbert
R
R
Vorberg
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009048:Motor Skills; D009146:Music; D010507:Periodicity; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013998:Time Perception