Effects of Dynamics, Halves of Exercise, and Trial Sequences on Tempo Accuracy

Twenty subjects performed a short exercise, containing two dynamic levels, twice. Each subject listened to a metronomic tempo before performing the exercise, which was subsequently timed to the nearest .01 second. Timings were compared to discover the influence of the total sequence of dynamics and trials, the first and second half of the exercise, the first and second trial, and the interaction of the first three factors. Significant differences were produced between the first and second halves of the exercise and between the two trials on the exercises, indicating a tendency for subjects to increase tempo during the performance. The sequence factor and all interactions were nonsignificant, indicating that the total sequence of dynamics did not influence total performance time by subjects and that dynamic levels did not influence total performance time.