Human tolerance for errors in melodic communication

Determine the tolerated error rate in human melodic communication for given interval sizes to parameterize the Interval Spacing theory within a signal-detection framework.

Background

The Interval Spacing model applies signal detection theory to predict the minimum interval sizes needed to avoid communicative errors, combining production and perception variances. While empirical bounds on variance can be estimated from psychophysics and singing datasets, the acceptable error rate in actual melodic communication remains unknown.

This parameter is critical for quantifying how interval sizes are selected to balance communicative fidelity and practical constraints, and for validating the model against cross-cultural melodic data.