Pitch Syntax as an Evolutionary Prelingual Innovation
Authors:
- Piotr Sebastian Podlipniak
Abstract
Pitch syntax is an important part of musical syntax. It is a complex hierarchical system that involves generative production and perception based on pitch. Because hierarchical systems are also present in language grammar, the processing of a pitch hierarchy is predominantly explained by the activity of cognitive mechanisms that are not solely specific to music. However, in contrast to the processing of language grammar, which is mainly cognitive in nature, the processing of pitch syntax includes subtle emotional sensations that are often described in terms of tension and resolution or instability and stability. This difference suggests that the very nature of pitch syntax may be evolutionarily older than grammar in language, and has served another adaptive function. The aim of this paper is to indicate that the recognition of pitch structure may be a separate ability, rather than merely being part of general syntactic processing. It is also proposed that pitch syntax has evolved as a specific tool for social bonding in which subtle emotions of tension and resolution are indications of mutual trust. From this perspective, it is considered that musical pitch started to act as a medium of communication by the means of spectral synchronization between the brains of hominins. Pitch syntax facilitated spectral synchronization between performers of a well-established, enduring, communal ritual and in this way increased social cohesion. This process led to the evolution of new cortico-subcortical pathways that enabled the implicit learning of pitch hierarchy and the intuitive use of pitch structure in music before language, as we know it now, began.
- Record ID
- UAMc4cc323785524b35a1ed663d87607569
- Author
- Journal series
- Musicae Scientiae, ISSN 1029-8649, e-ISSN 2045-4147
- Issue year
- 2020
- Keywords in English
- Pitch, pitch syntax, grammar, innovation, vocalization, Baldwin effect
- Keywords in original language
- Pitch, pitch syntax, grammar, innovation, vocalization, Baldwin effect
- ASJC Classification
- ;
- DOI
- DOI:10.1177/1029864920941551 Opening in a new tab
- Language
- (en) English
- Score (nominal)
- 140
- Score source
- journalList
- Score
- = 140.0, 15-02-2022, ArticleFromJournal
- Publication indicators
- = 1; : 2018 = 0.853; : 2019 (2 years) = 1.930 - 2019 (5 years) =1.903
- Uniform Resource Identifier
- https://researchportal.amu.edu.pl/info/article/UAMc4cc323785524b35a1ed663d87607569/
- URN
urn:amu-prod:UAMc4cc323785524b35a1ed663d87607569
* presented citation count is obtained through Internet information analysis and it is close to the number calculated by the Publish or PerishOpening in a new tab system.