Sonification of Movement for Motor Skill Learning in a Novel Bimanual Task: Aesthetics and Retention Strategies

Here we report early results from an experiment designed to investigate the use of sonification for the learning of a novel perceptual-motor skill. We find that sonification which employs melody is more effective than a strategy which provides only bare timing information. We additionally show that it might be possible to 'refresh' learning after performance has waned following training -through passive listening to the sound that would be produced by perfect performance. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of general motor performance enhancement and sonic feedback design.