Previous research indicates that a relationship between music lessons
and speech prosody skills exists. Speech prosody, like music, uses
variations in pitch, tone, and volume to add an emotional content to
communications. Studies suggest that musical training transfers its
effects into speech prosody skills. The relationship between the pitch
discrimination skills used in music training and speech prosody has
largely been unexamined. This book examines the hypothesis that
differences would be found in the pretest and posttest prosody skills of
a treatment group which received pitch discrimination practice. Music
majors received eight weeks pitch discrimination practice and were given
a pretest and posttest to assess pitch discrimination and speech prosody
decoding abilities. A control group was also pre tested and post tested
on their speech prosody skills. The Comprehensive Affect Testing System
recorded speech prosody skills, and pitch discrimination testing was
recorded. Results of data analysis support the hypothesis that pitch
discrimination practice does transfers to speech prosody decoding
skills. Such transfer may be a hidden, unexplored benefit of formal
musical lessons. From a perspective of social change, this strongly
suggests that such a nontraditional and short-term pitch discrimination
practice intervention can improve emotional speech decoding skills.
Increasing prosody accuracy benefits professionals and all who depend
upon accurate interpretation of interpersonal communication. The
implications for communication improvements through a practice mode of
musical ear training has unlimited potentials. Kenneth Nashkoff has been
a professional musician for over twenty years, composing music and
working with various ensembles.With a Ph.D in Psychology, and years of
experience as a working musician, the relationship between music and
emotions is explored in this book.
