In this review, we focus on the methodological aspects of
eye-tracking research in the domain of music, published and/or available
between 1994 and 2017, and we identify potentially fruitful next steps
to increase coherence and systematicity within this emerging field. We
review and discuss choices of musical stimuli, the conditions under
which these were performed (i.e. control of performance tempo and
music-reading protocols), performer’s level of musical expertise, and
handling of performance errors and eye-movement data. We propose that
despite a lack of methodological coherence in research to date, careful
reflection on earlier methodological choices can help in formulating
future research questions and in positioning new work. These steps would
represent progress towards a cumulative research tradition, where joint
understanding is built by systematic and consistent use of stimuli,
research settings and methods of analysis.