Dr Marcus Pearce

Teaching

Music Perception and Cognition (Postgraduate/Undergraduate)

Music is a fundamental part of being human and exists only in the mind of the listener. This module will provide students with advanced training in current understanding of how musical sound is processed by the mind and brain. This is crucial for developing creative tools for musicians and intuitive interfaces for music lovers as well as for using technology in the creative production of new music.

Research

Research Interests:

• Music Cognition
• Empirical Aesthetics and Neuroaesthetics
  
• Emotion and Music
• Auditory Perception
• Statistical Learning
• Expectation and Prediction
  

Publications

• Ycart A, Liu L, Benetos E et al. (2020). Investigating the Perceptual Validity of Evaluation Metrics for Automatic Piano Music Transcription. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.5334/tismir.57

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/65069
• Bianco R, Harrison PMC, Hu M et al. (2020). Long-term implicit memory for sequential auditory patterns in humans. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.7554/eLife.56073

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/64583
• Quiroga-Martinez DR, Hansen NC, Højlund A et al. (2020). Decomposing neural responses to melodic surprise in musicians and non-musicians: Evidence for a hierarchy of predictions in the auditory system. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116816

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/64996
• Clemente A, Vila-Vidal M, Pearce MT et al. (2020). A Set of 200 Musical Stimuli Varying in Balance, Contour, Symmetry, and Complexity: Behavioral and Computational Assessments.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.3758/s13428-019-01329-8

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/62898
• Harrison PMC, Pearce MT (2020). A computational cognitive model for the analysis and generation of voice leadings. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1525/MP.2020.37.3.208

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Quiroga-Martinez DR, Hansen NC, Højlund A et al. (2020). Musical prediction error responses similarly reduced by predictive uncertainty in musicians and non-musicians. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1101/754333

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Ycart A, Liu L, Benetos E et al. (2020). Musical Features for Automatic Music Transcription Evaluation.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Quiroga-Martinez DR, C Hansen N, Højlund A et al. (2019). Musical prediction error responses similarly reduced by predictive uncertainty in musicians and non-musicians.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14667

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/62663
• Harrison P, Pearce M (publicationYear). Simultaneous consonance in music perception and composition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1037/rev0000169

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/59662
• Pearce M, Sauvé S (2019). Information-theoretic Modeling of Perceived Musical Complexity. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1525/mp.2019.37.2.165

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/60004
• Cheung V, HARRISON PMC, Meyer L et al. (2019). Uncertainty and Surprise Jointly Predict Musical Pleasure and Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Auditory Cortex Activity. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.09.067

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/60428
• Zioga I, Harrison P, Pearce M et al. (2019). From learning to creativity: Identifying the behavioural and neural correlates of learning to predict human judgements of musical creativity. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116311

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/61283
• Gold B, Pearce M, Mas-Herrero E et al. (2019). Predictability and uncertainty in the pleasure of music: a reward for learning?. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0428-19.2019

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/60425
• de Fleurian R, Harrison PMC, Pearce MT et al. (2019). Reward prediction tells us less than expected about musical pleasure. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913244116

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/60119
• Cameron DJ, Zioga I, Lindsen JP et al. (2019). Neural entrainment is associated with subjective groove and complexity for performed but not mechanical musical rhythms. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05557-4

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/58040
• Quiroga-Martinez DR, Hansen NC, Højlund A et al. (2019). Reduced prediction error responses in high-as compared to low-uncertainty musical contexts. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.06.010

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/58784
• Omigie D, Pearce M, Lehongre K et al. (2019). Intracranial Recordings and Computational Modeling of Music Reveal the Time Course of Prediction Error Signaling in Frontal and Temporal Cortices.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01388

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/56975
• Sears DRW, Pearce MT, Spitzer J et al. (2018). Expectations for tonal cadences: Sensory and cognitive priming effects.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1177/1747021818814472

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/50463
• Duffy S, Pearce M (2018). What makes rhythms hard to perform? An investigation using Steve Reich's Clapping Music.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205847

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/53547
• Quiroga-Martinez DR, Hansen NC, Højlund A et al. (2018). Reduced prediction error responses in high- as compared to low-uncertainty musical contexts. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1101/422949

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/62225
• PEARCE MT (2018). Statistical Learning and Probabilistic Prediction in Music Cognition: Mechanisms of Stylistic Enculturation. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13654

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/38384
• Harrison PMC, Pearce MT (2018). An energy-based generative sequence model for testing sensory theories of Western harmony. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/42067
• Rohrmeier M, Pearce M (2018). Musical Syntax I: Theoretical Perspectives. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-55004-5_25

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce M, Rohrmeier M (2018). Musical Syntax II: Empirical Perspectives. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-55004-5_26

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Sears DRW, PEARCE MT, Caplin WE et al. (2017). Simulating melodic and harmonic expectations for tonal cadences using probabilistic models. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1080/09298215.2017.1367010

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/26012
• Cameron D, Potter K, Wiggins G et al. (2017). Perception of Rhythmic Similarity is Asymmetrical, and Is Influenced by Musical Training, Expressive Performance, and Musical Context. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1163/22134468-00002085

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/22707
• van der Weij B, Pearce MT, Honing H (2017). A Probabilistic Model of Meter Perception: Simulating Enculturation.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00824

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/24485
• Pearce M, Müllensiefen D (2017). Compression-based Modelling of Musical Similarity Perception. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1080/09298215.2017.1305419

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/22501
• Agres K, Abdallah S, Pearce M (2017). Information-Theoretic Properties of Auditory Sequences Dynamically Influence Expectation and Memory. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12477

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/19783
• Halpern AR, Zioga I, Shankleman M et al. (2017). That note sounds wrong! Age-related effects in processing of musical expectation.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2016.12.006

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/25765
• Hansen NC, Vuust P, Pearce M (2016). "If You Have to Ask, You'll Never Know": Effects of Specialised Stylistic Expertise on Predictive Processing of Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163584

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/17664
• Dean RT, Pearce MT (2016). Algorithmically-generated Corpora that use Serial Compositional Principles Can Contribute to the Modeling of Sequential Pitch Structure in Non-tonal Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.18061/emr.v11i1.4900

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/17671
• Gingras B, Pearce MT, Goodchild M et al. (2016). Linking melodic expectation to expressive performance timing and perceived musical tension. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1037/xhp0000141

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/10881
• Hansen NC, Sadakata M, Pearce M (2016). Nonlinear Changes in the Rhythm of European Art Music: Quantitative Support for Historical Musicology. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1525/mp.2016.33.4.414

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/17691
• Pearce MT, Zaidel DW, Vartanian O et al. (2016). Neuroaesthetics: The Cognitive Neuroscience of Aesthetic Experience. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1177/1745691615621274

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/12033
• Barascud N, Pearce MT, Griffiths TD et al. (2016). Brain responses in humans reveal ideal observer-like sensitivity to complex acoustic patterns. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508523113

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/12031
• PEARCE MT, Schubert E (2016). A New Look at Musical Expectancy: The Veridical Versus the General in the Mental Organization of Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-46282-0_23

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/18233
• Song Y, Dixon S, Pearce MT et al. (2016). Perceived and Induced Emotion Responses to Popular Music: Categorical and Dimensional Models. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1525/MP.2016.33.4.472

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/11214
• Carey D, Rosen S, Krishnan S et al. (2015). Generality and specificity in the effects of musical expertise on perception and cognition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2014.12.005

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/6790
• Pearce MT, Halpern AR (2015). Age-related patterns in emotions evoked by music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1037/a0039279

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Song C, Pearce M, Harte C (2015). Synpy: A python toolkit for syncopation modelling. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Hansen NC, Pearce MT (2014). Predictive uncertainty in auditory sequence processing.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01052

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/6446
• Whorley R, Wiggins GA, Rhodes CS et al. (2013). Multiple Viewpoint Systems: Time Complexity and the Construction of Domains for Complex Musical Viewpoints. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1080/09298215.2013.831457

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/10883
• Bailes F, Dean RT, Pearce MT (2013). Music cognition as mental time travel. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1038/srep02690

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/64997
• Omigie D, Pearce MT, Williamson VJ et al. (2013). Electrophysiological correlates of melodic processing in congenital amusia. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.05.010

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Cherla S, Weyde T, d¿Avila Garcez A et al. (2013). A distributed model for multiple-viewpoint melodic prediction. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Agres K, Abdallah S, Pearce MT (2013). An Information-Theoretic Account of Musical Expectation and Memory.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Song Y, Dixon S, Pearce M et al. (2013). Do online social tags predict perceived or induced emotional responses to music?. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Omigie D, Pearce MT, Stewart L et al. (2013). Electrophysiological correlates of melodic processing in congenital amusia. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.05.010.

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Whorley R, Rhodes C, Wiggins G et al. (2013). Harmonising melodies: Why do we add the bass line first?. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Egermann H, Pearce MT, Wiggins GA et al. (2013). Probabilistic models of expectation violation predict psychophysiological emotional responses to live concert music.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.3758/s13415-013-0161-y

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/12125
• Song C, Simpson AJR, Harte CA et al. (2013). Syncopation and the score.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074692

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/10967
• Brattico E, Pearce MT (2013). The Neuroaesthetics of Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1037/a0031624

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce M, Rohrmeier M (2012). Music Cognition and the Cognitive Sciences. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2012.01226.x

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2012). Auditory Expectation: The Information Dynamics of Music Perception and Cognition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2012.01214

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Christensen JF (2012). Conference Report: The Neurosciences and Music - IV - Learning and Memory. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1037/a0027235

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Song Y, Dixon S, Pearce M (2012). Evaluation of musical features for emotion classification. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Carrus E, Pearce MT, Bhattacharya J (2012). Melodic pitch expectation interacts with neural responses to syntactic but not semantic violations. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2012.08.024

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Omigie D, Pearce MT, Stewart L (2012). Tracking of pitch probabilities in congenital amusia. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.02.034

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Wiggins GA (2010). The role of expectation and probabilistic learning in auditory boundary perception: a model comparison.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1068/p6507

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Wiggins GA (2010). Melodic grouping in music information retrieval: New methods and applications. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-11674-2-16

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Whorley R, Wiggins GA, Rhodes C et al. (2010). Development of Techniques for the Computational Modelling of Harmony. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Wiggins GA (2010). Melodic Grouping in Music Information Retrieval: New Methods and Applications. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Wiggins GA, Müllensiefen D, Pearce MT (2010). On the non-existence of Music: Why music theory is a figment of the imagination. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1177/10298649100140S110

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Nadal M, Pearce MT (2010). The Copenhagen Neuroaesthetics conference: Prospects and pitfalls for an emerging field. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2011.01.009

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Wiggins GA (2010). The role of expectation and probabilistic learning in auditory boundary perception: A model comparison. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1068/p6507

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Herrojo Ruiz M, Kapasi S et al. (2010). Unsupervised Statistical Learning Underpins Computational, Behavioural and Neural Manifestations of Musical Expectation. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.12.019

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Ruiz MH, Kapasi S et al. (2010). Unsupervised statistical learning underpins computational, behavioural and neural manifestations of musical expectation. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Wiggins GA, Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D (2009). Computational Modelling of Music Cognition and Musical Creativity. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199792030.013.0019

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Rohrmeier M, Honing H, Rebuschat P et al. (2009). Music Cognition: Learning and Processing. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT (2009). To beep or not to beep. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Wiggins GA (2008). A comparison of statistical and rule-based models of melodic segmentation. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D (2008). David Huron, Sweet Anticipation: Music and the Psychology of Expectation. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2007, 512 pp., ISBN 0262083450, (Hardcover).. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Müllensiefen D, Lewis D et al. (2007). David Temperley, Music and Probability. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-0-262-20166-7 (hardcover) $40.00. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2007). Evaluating cognitive models of musical composition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Whorley RP, Wiggins GA, Pearce MT (2007). Systematic Evaluation and Improvement of Statistical Models of Harmony. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Potter K, Wiggins GA, Pearce MT (2007). Towards greater objectivity in music theory: Information-dynamic analysis of minimalist music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1177/102986490701100207

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2006). Expectation in Melody: The Influence of Context and Learning. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1525/mp.2006.23.5.377

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2006). The information dynamics of melodic boundary detection. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Conklin D, Wiggins GA (2005). Methods for Combining Statistical Models of Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT (2005). The Construction and Evaluation of Statistical Models of Melodic Structure in Music Perception and Composition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2004). Improved Methods for Statistical Modelling of Monophonic Music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1080/0929821052000343840

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2004). Rethinking Gestalt Influences on Melodic Expectancy. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Meredith D (2004). Review of the Third International Symposium on Computer Music Modelling and Retrieval. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2003). An empirical comparison of the performance of PPM variants on a prediction task with monphonic music. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2002). Aspects of a cognitive theory of creativity in musical composition. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce M, Wiggins GA, Meredith D (2001). Motivations and Methodologies for Automation of the Compositional Process.. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1177/102986490200600203

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT (2001). Report on the ICCBR’01 Workshop on Creative Systems. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT, Wiggins GA (2001). Towards a framework for the evaluation of machine compositions. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Pearce MT (2000). Generating Rhythmic Patterns: A Combined Neural and Evolutionary Approach. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: doi

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref