Auditory atonalia for melodies

Abstract We present the detailed analysis of a patient, GL, who presents auditory atonalia as a consequence of brain damage. GL was found to be unable to use tonal knowledge in the interpretation of melodic closure, in discrimination as well as in preference of melodies. This breakdown in the tonal representation of melodic patterns occurred in the presence of accurate encoding of melodic contour and, to some extent, of interval sizes. It also occurred in isolation from disturbances in the processing of temporal information. Thus, the pattern argues against a general deficit in melodic organisation processes but, rather, argues for a specific loss of access to tonal knowledge. These data are discussed with regard to the independence and organisation of tonal knowledge within the music processing system and as a function of the current classification schema underlying musical disorders.

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