A new perspective on the performance of dotted rhythms Fabian, Dorottya; Schubert, Emery

RESUMEN: This observation reports an auditory illusion at play when listening to dotted rhythms. Listeners judge performances as sounding more dotted when played faster and/or staccato even when the dotting ratio is unchanged. This finding means that perception and performance of dorred rhythms are not tha same and thus debating the correct dotting ratio as the crucial element in creating a historically informed performance of pieces with prevailing dotted ryhthms is futile. The emphasis should rather be on the interation of performance parameters that contribute to the "dottedness" of an interpretation. Keywords: dotted rhythm, rhythmic perception, Baroque music, French overture, J.S Bach, Goldberg Variations.