ABSTRACT
In this chapter I will review experiments on music perception that have been conducted using brain imaging technics. However, as work in our laboratory is based on the analysis of Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), specific emphasis will be given to this approach. Furthermore, several points should be kept in mind. First, the electrophysiology of music processing is a relatively new research area. Most of the studies conducted in the last few years have been aimed at finding electrophysiological markers of music processing. This can be considered a first step. Once components of the ERPs have been demonstrated to relate to certain aspects of music processing, specific hypotheses can be tested that will help develop models of music perception. Second, research in this field has benefitted from parallel research on language processing and some examples of this will be provided. Finally, while the comparison between Western tonal music and other types of music, using brain imaging technics, will certainly provide important insights into music perception and cognition, I am unaware of any cross-cultural studies using ERPs. Therefore, this review will be restricted to research focusing on Western tonal music.
