Stream Segregation

Figure 2: Stream segregation in a cycle of six tones.

Sequence consisting of 6 tones, 3 high and 3 low, is repeated slowly (left) then fast (right):

• When played slowly, alterations of high and low tones can be heard.
• When played fast, two melodic streams develop (see dashed lines, right), one high and one low.

The ability to hear the order of the tones is also affected: half of subjects heard that a set of three high tones preceded a set of low ones, or vice-versa.

Click to Listen