The Effects of Age, Singing Ability, and Instrumental Experiences on Preschool Children's Melodic Perception

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Abstract
This study investigated the effects of age, singing ability, and training with pitched instruments on preschool children's auditory perception of five melodic components: absolute pitch level, melodic rhythm, melodic contour, tonal center, and melodic interval. The results of the study, based on the vocal responses of 91 3- to 5-year-old subjects, revealed the following: (a) significant differences associated with age were found in preschool children's perception of melodic rhythm, melodic contour, and melodic interval; (b) high-ability singers scored higher than low-ability singers on perception of melodic rhythm, melodic contour, tonal center, and melodic interval; (c) instrumental and noninstrumental treatment groups did not differ significantly in perception of the melodic components.