ABSTRACT
Bottom (opposite): ERP results averaged across 16 professional musicians and recorded from the parietal electrode (Pz). Terminal congruous words sung in key (Cong./Cong.) are compared to (a) semantically incongruous words sung in tune (Incong./Cong.), (b) semantically congruous words sung out of tune (Cong./Incong.), and (c) semantically incongruous words sung out of tune (Incong./Incong.). The vertical lines mark the onset of the final word of the excerpts. A large N400 component develops in the 50-600 ms that follow the presentation of semantically incongruous words (a). In marked contrast, a P600 develops in the 400-1200 ms that follow the presentation of words sung out of tune (b). Most importantly, both an N400 and a P600 develop in response to the double incongruity (C) (Adapted from Besson et al., 1998).
