Perfect Pitch
Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch (AP), is the remarkable ability to identify or re-create a given musical note without the aid of a reference tone. This means that individuals with perfect pitch can recognize and name individual pitches played on various instruments, name the key of a given piece of tonal music, identify and name all the tones of a given chord, and even name the pitches of common everyday sounds such as car horns and alarms. Singers with perfect pitch can also sing a given note on cue, without having heard it previously.
How to Identify Perfect Pitch
Perfect pitch is a rare ability, with only about 1 to 5 out of every 10,000 people possessing it. However, it is observed to be more common in cultures where the language is tonal, and it is also observed to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Some studies suggest that perfect pitch can be taught, especially for individuals who learn to alter and identify pitch from a young age, such as when learning to speak their first language.
Difference Between Perfect Pitch and Relative Pitch
Perfect pitch is the ability to identify a note or sing a note without it being played on an instrument first, while relative pitch relies on the ability to identify a note based on a reference note.
In conclusion, perfect pitch is a rare and remarkable ability that allows individuals to identify and re-create musical notes without the aid of a reference tone. While it is rare, there is evidence to suggest that it may be partially genetic and can potentially be taught, especially from a young age.
