Music Reading Expertise Assessment – MUREA

Based on studies using Eye Movements and Eye-Fixation-Related Potentials (EFRPs) of musicians with different levels of musical expertise, MUREA aims at developing an objective and innovative method of assessment of music reading. Three stages are planned: 1) collecting eye-tracking and EFRP data while reading music in order to provide a continuum of eye-movement behavior across different levels of musical expertise and musical structure complexity; 2) classifying musical expertise by using Machine Learning technique (MultiVariate Pattern Analysis) on previous eye-movement and EFRP data collections in order to define different profiles of music reading ability; and 3) elaborating a new generation of assessment platform of music reading based on eye-tracking technique. MUREA will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the students based on scientific and objective knowledge from research in cognitive psychology of music. On the basis of the assessment, MUREA will contribute to improve music reading through the targeting of eye movement behavior.