Interpersonal coordination in musical groups

Musical ensemble performance showcases the human capacity for temporally precise yet flexible interpersonal coordination. Ensemble musicians maintain synchrony in the face of large-scale tempo changes, expressively motivated deviations in local tempo, and random variability in timing. Despite these irregularities, a seemingly infinite number of isochronous and non-isochronous temporal structures can be synchronized, either in rhythmic unison or via the interlocking of complementary rhythms. The neurocognitive mechanisms that mediate these varieties of musical synchronization are specialized for entrainment, adaptive timing, and anticipatory action control. I will present research into these mechanisms, drawing on studies of sensorimotor synchronization (finger tapping) with adaptive metronomes and human partners, as well as a study of coordination in piano duos.