Temporal Hierarchies in Music and Neural Timing: An Exploratory Review

Abstract

Predictive, hierarchical relationships in temporal experience are fundamental aspects of both music and language -- vehicles of communication essential to human social bonding and survival.  This exploratory review considers music as a lens through which to explore neural timing, examining research in music cognition spanning four decades.  The paper describes and synthesizes findings on how humans track, predict, and actively respond to hierarchical temporal structures in music, considering what these layered, multisensory mechanisms can reveal about human cognition and communication on a broad level.  A limitation to this exploration, albeit relevant in conveying the material to the reader unfamiliar with the field, is the concept of "groove" as an overarching construct.  The study aims to employ more precise terminology to accurately capture the subject of interest.  Additionally, it is proposed that future music cognition in investigations prioritize (1) ecologically valid designs supporting naturalistic social interactions; (2) whole-body movement as central t temporal perception; and (3) multisensory integration.  These considerations situate music cognition research in a meaningful position for translatable, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural application, contributing to a greater understanding of the multimodal, temporal underpinnings that support human communication.