The Relationships Among Interval Identification, Pitch Error Detection, and Stimulus Timbre by Preservice Teachers

Abstract

We examined the relationship between interval identification skill and error detection skill in preservice teachers, accounting for timbral differences by including piano and vocal stimuli. The interval identification test was comprised of 33 items spanning from C2 to B5. Fifteen error detection items were monophonic melodies, two measures long, in 4/4 meter, and included one pitch error. Music education majors ( N = 50) completed both tests in vocal and piano timbres during one individual study session. Interval identification performance was significantly correlated with error detection performance, r = .75. Additionally, interval identification score was a significant predictor for error detection when also accounting for variance from numbers of semesters of enrollment and theory/aural skills courses. Response times for correct responses of interval identification were faster than for incorrect responses. We found no main effects or interactions between primary performance area and timbre of test item. The results suggest interval identification skill generally can be used to predict error detection, reinforcing the importance of developing interval identification as a basic musical skill.

Learning melodic musical intervals: To block or to interleave?

“…Developing an aural awareness and understanding of intervals has been viewed as fundamental to good musicianship (Buttram, 1969), and has been found to be important for more advanced aural skills. For instance, interval identification is closely related to the skill of sightsinging (Ottman, 1956), and has more recently been shown to predict the detection of pitch errors in musical performance (Stambaugh & Nichols, 2020). Unsurprisingly, music schools often spend enormous amounts of time on interval identification as a common ear-training activity (Rogers, 2004), given that listening skills have been considered "prerequisite to all other musical pursuits" (Madsen & Geringer, 2000-2001.…”

Error Detection in Music Education: A Review of Literature

“…Similarly, Sidnell (1971) reported a weak correlation between second year aural skills course GPA and students’ ability to detect errors during score reading. However, Stambaugh and Nichols (2020) found a high level of correlation between interval identification and pitch error detection in preservice music educators. In addition, Stambaugh (2016) reported that although music theory grades were not significantly correlated with error detection abilities in preservice band and choral music educators, aural skills grades were related to the ability to identify pitch errors outside of one’s primary area (band or chorus).…”

“…Because live music performances are likely to contain unintentional errors or music elements that are subject to interpretation (e.g., intonation, balance, blend, and dynamics), many researchers who developed error detection studies created simulated music stimuli to control for these factors. This practice often includes creating sound files through computer notation programs with MIDI playback and/or simplifying playback timbres (Byo, 1993, 1997; Byo & Sheldon, 2000; Crowe, 1996; Schlegel, 2010; Sheldon, 1998; Stambaugh & Nichols, 2020). However, some researchers used authentic listening conditions created by the use of live musicians in real-world ensemble scenarios (Koner, 2012; Ramsey, 1979; Waggoner, 2011).…”

“…Error detection has been described as the ability to diagnose and prescribe performance errors by comparing aural examples with written notation (Davis, 2010; Doerksen, 1999). Therefore, music teacher education programs have historically included aural skills and music theory classes in the curriculum to develop students’ aural acuity and understanding of music’s intervallic and harmonic structure (Stambaugh & Nichols, 2020). This relationship between aural skills and error detection has led researchers to investigate whether music theory and aural skills proficiency can predict success in error detection.…”

Interval Identification Predicts Success in Melodic Dictation

“…Interval identification test. We developed a shortened version of a previously designed test for use (Stambaugh & Nichols, 2020). The previous test included 33 items that were presented aurally to participants.…”