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DOSSIER

Vol. 13 (2025): Percepta - Revista de Cognição Musical

The Role of Mental Representations in the Harmonization of Lead-Sheet Melodies on the Piano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.34018/2318-891X.13e025020
Submitted
September 1, 2025
Published
2026-01-23

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the role of mental representations in harmonizing piano lead sheets. A multi-case study was conducted with three piano students, submitted to the application of the think-aloud protocol on a task of harmonizing a lead sheet. Verbalizations were transcribed and submitted to a content analysis. Results show that, although their mental representations do not appear to have been as effective as those of experts, they played a preponderant role to learn the task. Furthermore, the practice of the cadence II-V-I in the major mode in all tonalities facilitated the harmonization of the lead sheet. We concluded that the constant improvement of mental representations is an effective strategy for harmonizing piano lead sheets.

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