Implicit Learning in Music: Theory and Models

Theory and Models. Implicit learning is a form of learning in which one tacitly internalizes the structure of the stimulations received from the environment. In this article, we will show that it is highly probable that this implicit knowledge acquired by the listener without formal training is an essential aspect of musical experience. Music, as an ecological structure of our environment, is a highly interesting material for implicit learning studies. The answers that psychology will bring here will have implications in cognitive sciences, but also in music sciences. Finally, in order to understand what type of cognitive architecture is best suited to the representation of implicit musical knowledge, we will describe a connexionist model which helps to understand the musical knowledge which can be acquired implictly.