The Role of Spontaneous Motor Tempo in Modulating Retrieved and Preferred Music Tempos

Music tempo preference varies among individuals, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. Recent studies have suggested that spontaneous motor tempo (SMT), the pace of repeated body movements, predicts preferred music tempo. However, how SMT is associated with preferred music tempo remains unclear. One possible pathway is through the retrieval of previously heard music, as distortions in memory can influence preferences. Here, we investigated whether retrieved music tempo is modulated by SMT. The participants performed three tasks—perception, memory, and preference—in which they adjusted music tempos under different conditions. SMT was assessed through a finger tapping task. Linear mixed models revealed that while the original music tempo predicted adjustments across tasks, the SMT significantly influenced adjusted tempo in the memory and preference tasks but not in the perception task. These results suggest that SMT modulates the retrieval of music tempo stored in working memory and that SMT is related to mental speed rather than general task performance.