Interpersonal synchrony in duets of professional musicians: assessment methods and exploratory analysis

Abstract

Research on interpersonal synchrony is actively developing abroad, yet the experimental condition of musical interaction remains understudied, despite the fundamental importance of music in human social life. The present study aims to investigate the phenomenon of interpersonal synchrony at the behavioral level during the joint performance of a musical piece by professional musicians, and to evaluate the contribution of individual, professional, and musical characteristics to this process. The study involved 16 participants (M = 30.7 years; SD = 5.6; 3 women), including 8 musicians from the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra and 8 musicians from the Saint Petersburg Academic Philharmonia, performing on string or wind instruments. Within the framework of the experimental interaction, audio and video data of the performance of a musical piece consisting of two different scale parts were recorded. Motion Energy Analysis, rMEA, and Surrogate Synchrony software and packages were used to assess interpersonal synchrony and social present. Empathy was measured using the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy, personality traits — by the Big Five Inventory-2. Information on professional experience, absolute pitch, and sight-reading skill was obtained by means of a questionnaire. Individual tempo during joint performance was determined through sound track analysis in FL Studio 21. The conducted exploratory analysis allowed the assessment of listed characteristics and highlighted a significant relationship between the performance of a musical piece part and interpersonal synchrony. Further research with larger sample sizes and alternative designs is needed to examine the relationships between these characteristics more extensively.