Rhythmic percussion is present in all human cultures and has been presented as one of the first developed forms of musical expression. Thanks to two studies He discovered that chimpanzees also practice it.
Weld Main features of human rhythmic percussion include individual and regional variationAs well as the generalized structural characteristics in all musical cultures, such as the use of non -Random synchronization and Isochronie (that is, uniformly placed note guards).
Comparative studies of percussion in our family members contribute to understanding the evolutionary origin of human rhythmic percussion. In this context, large and various data sets universally enable to prove at species level and regional variation. The Chimpanzees and bonobos, such as people, drum on instrumental substrates.
The drummer of the chimpanzees
Wild chimpanzees have a much more extensive communicative repertoire than was thought, to the point that scientists are starting to catch a glimpse. Bridge that connects your language with oursTo understand the evolution of our own oral communication.
This is demonstrated by two studies that have been published independently this week, and that reinforce the hypothesis that human musical and linguistic skills can have deep evolutionary roots Shared with other primates.
In the first of the studies, published in Current biologyAn international team led by Vesta Eleuteri, from the University of Vienna, analyzed 371 Percussies scenes recorded in 11 Communities from Western and eastern chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees (especially those of older and in relocation contexts) usually touch the roots of trees that use feet and hands in relocation contexts). It is believed that as a call for their community, or to collect them. The results of this new work show that these animals do not touch randomly, But regularly produce rhythms with differentiated patterns according to subspecies.
Western chimpanzees use constant and faster intervals, while the Eastern alternately short and long times varied. Eleuteri explained in an earlier job that is Even possible to recognize chimpanzee who broadcast the sound, as a distinctive rhythmic company.
“Making music is a fundamental part of what it means to be human, but we still don’t know, because when we have this capacity,” says Catherine Hobaiter, co -author of the work and researcher at the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland. “Prove that Chimpanzees share rhythmic principles with human music It is an important step to understand how and when this power originated. “
A really complex communication
The second study, led by Cédric Girard-buttoz, from the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (France) and Placed in Science is progressing“ documents a vocal combination system in 53 Chimpanzees of the project Chimpanzee Taï, in Ivory Coast.
After mathematically analyzing more than 4,300 sounds of the primates included in different situations – food, rest, approaches, aggressions or meetings with predators – the team identified 16 vocal sequences formed by two calls (Bigrams), which contain Four Combination Mechanisms unique.
These combinations are not limited to merging two sounds, but generate new meanings. A vocal series related to the construction of nests, for example, not only indicated that the place to sleep, but also indicated, but Also your safety of possible threats.
Is ” Vocal structures can represent an intermediate phase in the evolution of language“, Girard-buttos, who believes that this system offers an indication of how simple animal sounds can transform into an open and complex human language.
Both studies provide proof that Chimpanzees They don’t have alone Individual communication stylesBut also collective possibilities to structure and send complex information through the rhythm and combination of sounds, which suggests that the basis of language and music could have been present long before the appearance of man modern.