RHYTHMIC DRUMMING BY KANZI AN ADULT MALE BONOBO (PAN PANISCUS) AT THE LANGUAGE RESEARCH CENTER |
| K. Kugler and S. Savage-Rumbaugh Georgia State University, Language Research Center, Department of Biology, Atlanta, Ga, 30034, USA |
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| The use of percussive rhythmic patterns are being examined at the LRC in a preliminary descriptive investigation. Both Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus display rhythmic percussion, including foot banging and hand drumming. These displays often occur during periods of excitement. At the LRC most adult paniscus and troglodytes display some form of percussive rhythmic behavior. The distinguishing features of excited rhythmic drumming are percussive strikes on an object at evenly spaced intervals, often accompanied by displaying. Kanzi drums rhythmically in excited circumstances, but can also produce controlled drumming behavior in non-excited situations involving music. Kanzi's controlled drumming is being examined in more detail. Videotaped data was collected of 15 instances of controlled drumming. The drumming was compared to 10 videotaped incidences of excited drumming produced by Kanzi and 3 other apes. Comparisons focus on the drumming behaviors and situations they occurred in. Rhythm and dynamics in each incident were analyzed using musicological analysis. Kanzi's controlled drumming differs from excited drumming in that, he uses objects to drum with, uses lighter strikes, head bobs in rhythm, and does not display. Kanzi's controlled drumming is similar to excited drumming in length and dynamics. These findings are relevant because they show Kanzi can co-opt a natural behavior for appropriate use in musical situations incorporating tool use. This research was supported by NICHD grant #06016. |
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