Vocal range for speech determines perception of a musical pattern

Previously, a two‐tone musical pattern was described that possesses some highly unexpected properties [D. Deutsch, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 80, S93 (1986)]. For any given listener, it is heard as ascending when played in one key, and yet as descending when played in a different key. As a further paradox, when the pattern is played in any key it is heard as ascending by some listeners but as descending by others. Since then, the behavior of this musical paradox has been explored under parametric variation [e.g., D. Deutsch, Percept. Psychophys. 42, 563–575 (1987)]; however, the basis for the individual differences remained elusive. Here, it is demonstrated that a striking correlate exists between the way this pattern is perceived and position of the listener's vocal range for speech. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a close connection between the perception of a musical pattern on the one hand and the listener's speech characteristics on the other. Implications of these findings for both music and speech are discussed. [Work supported by the Digital Equipment Corporation, and by the UCSD Biomedical Research Fund.]