Neural and Cultural Influences on Music Perception across Contexts

Music, composed of structural elements such as pitch, rhythm, and tonality, is processed by the brain in ways that raise questions about whether music perception is universal or shaped by culture and experience. Some researchers argue that all humans rely on shared neural mechanisms for processing basic musical features, while others emphasize the role of training and exposure in shaping perception. This paper examines EEG and MEG studies to show how neural activity reflects both basic auditory processing and higher-level interpretation, as well as how the motor system supports rhythm perception through timing and synchronization. Evidence suggests that musical training enhances neural encoding of pitch, rhythm, and beat prediction, while even non-musicians can discriminate familiar and unfamiliar musical patterns through cultural exposure. Cross-cultural research further shows that language experience, motor engagement, and everyday rhythmic interaction contribute to auditory–motor integration. Overall, these findings suggest that music perception is not purely universal, but emerges from an interaction of biological mechanisms, experience, and cultural context, shaping the depth and richness of musical understanding.