Acquiring music information: An incidental learning approach (Dr Claudio Iorio, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon)

This presentation discusses the potential use of an incidental learning procedure for acquiring music information. The research investigates humans’ ability to capture the relationship between two events in the environment, aiming to investigate whether or not this human ability can be applied to skills normally considered hard to acquire, as for instance sightreading and pitch discrimination. I will first explore how incidental learning might help automate key musical subskills necessary for sight-reading and pitch identification. Following this, I will share experimental findings that reveal significant improvements in sight-reading skills and learning of pitch-label associations in both musicians and nonmusicians. Ultimately, this presentation provides new perspectives on how incidental learning can be used to effectively acquire musical knowledge.

Biography

Claudia Iorio is a researcher with a unique blend of expertise in music and psychology, deeply intrigued by the connection between cognition and music. Her academic path began with Diploma in Viola and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology, where she focused on areas such as incidental learning in music and the effects of music on infant development. Over the years, she has actively contributed to numerous research projects, presented her work at both national and international conferences, and taught courses in Cognitive Psychology. Beyond academia, Claudia remains an enthusiastic musician, performing globally and participating in various cultural initiatives.