%0 Journal Article %D 2006 %T Rhythm in Music: What is it? Who has it? And Why? %A Bispham, John %X

This article explores human rhythmic abilities and behaviors within a framework of evolutionary theory highlighting the need for research in this area to be grounded upon solid psychologically valid definitions of rhythm. A wide-ranging cross-species comparison of rhythmic or quasi-rhythmic behaviors is presented with a view to exploring possible homologies and homoplasies to rhythm in human music. Sustained musical pulse and period correction mechanisms are put forward as human-specific and music-specific traits. Finally hypotheses as to why these abilities may have been selected for—and uniquely selected for—in the course of human evolution are explored.

%V 24 %P 125-134 %8 2006 %@ 07307829, 15338312 %G eng %U http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/mp.2006.24.2.125 %N 2 %! Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal