
This is the ability to recognize a G through a previously played C. Relative pitch requires musical knowledge. This person is able to guess the note played just by hearing it.Ī person with relative pitch is able to discern note pitch and accuracy using a comparison point. What about relative pitch? Perfect pitch vs Relative pitchĪ person with perfect pitch will recognize and identify the notes played without any reference points.

They can always determine the pitch and accuracy of a note. If they are asked to produce a D, they are able to do so without any difficulty. That’s why we say that they will always sing on key. Active perfect pitchĬonversely, people with so-called “active” perfect pitch are able to identify and name a heard note, and can reproduce the pitch of a note without any reference. But they are unable to accurately vocalize a requested note if no reference is given to them. People with so-called “passive” perfect pitch can identify each note they hear, without prior reference. Some people with perfect pitch are able to always play and sing on key without a reference note, while others are not. This is a distinction that was made by an Anglo-Saxon study. What do you mean? Apparently, there are two types of perfect pitches.

These two theories are to be taken with a pinch of salt, because nothing is really established! What is clear is that the area of the brain concerned with perfect pitch is that of language.Īctive perfect pitch VS Passive perfect pitch And that this has an impact on several generations. On the side of genetic theory, it would seem that the absolute ear is transmitted from parents to children. Being born into a family with musical background would also be a factor in the development of perfect pitch. The words are differentiated by a different tone. These are languages in which the same sound can define several different terms. For example, tonal languages such as Thai or Vietnamese would facilitate the acquisition of perfect pitch.

Apparently, people’s native languages influence learning perfect pitch. Thus, scientists who support the acquired perfect pitch theory say that it is more developed in some countries. It would be innate from birth and would not require training! ConclusionĮach theory is based on different findings. In this case, perfect pitch would therefore be hereditary and could be transmitted from parents to children. It would be related to the child’s brain development. People with perfect pitch would therefore share the same gene. Scientists defending this theory claim that a perfect pitch gene exists. It is during these several months periods that the child would forge his perfect pitch.

Then he discovers the learning of speech, a stage during which he will vocalize the sounds heard. A baby discovers the existence of sounds in his mother’s womb, but is not able to differentiate them until he is 12 months old. It would be constructed when a baby learns to associate sounds with words. These scientists claim that perfect pitch is obtained from childhood. The use of the term “acquired” specifies that the person will acquire it through a learning process. There are two theories, but neither has clearly established the origin of perfect pitch. To date, scientists have not been able to determine whether perfect pitch is innate or acquired in childhood. While a typical person will need a point of comparison to eventually find the note of the noise heard. As soon as a sound is heard, the person will associate the corresponding note with it. It is an automatic process performed by their brain. People with perfect pitch will naturally associate a noise with a note. The difference is not originated in the auditory system, it is in the brain. This ability has nothing to do with hearing more frequencies, but being able to recognize a C without an auditory reference.
