Alpha EEG correlates of performance on a music recognition task

Abstract

EEGs were recorded over left and right occipital sites in 12 right-handed, musically naive subjects during the presentation of a series of piano melodies. The subjects were required to detect melodies presented earlier in the series. Sample epochs were subjected to a period analysis for alpha, theta, and delta waves, and EEG frequency was related to recording site, ear stimulated, and performance on the recognition task. The incidence of alpha waves by period analysis was found to significantly differentiate between positive and negative responses to the stimuli. No significant hemispheric lateralization or ear effects were obtained. © 1980, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.