Exact repetition outperforms transposed interval matching in pattern detection

Evidence

Performance is best when the standard phrase is repeated exactly with no transpositions (block 1), but falls substantially when transpositions are introduced (block 1 versus the average of blocks 3–7). Without transpositions, the task can be performed by direct comparisons between pitches, rather than using the interval relationships between successive pitches. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 5327