perfect pitch

[James Baker]

I have several musician friends who started without "perfect pitch", but
have developed such a tonal memory that they can immediately tell what note
is struck or what key a piece is in without hearing a reference tone that
day.  I also have been to customers homes and heard anecdotes about their
childs fantastic "perfect pitch" and how it just kills them not to hear a
perfect A  which makes me wonder, (in silence) to which perfect A are they
atuned.

James Baker
NC
----- Original Message -----
From: <Tvak@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 11:39 PM
Subject: Re: perfect pitch


>
> In a message dated 7/3/02 8:54:05 PM, RCzekay@AOL.COM writes:
>
> << It should be described as relative pitch. >>
>
> Relative pitch refers to the ability to "relate" one pitch to a another
known
> pitch.  In other words, this is an "A" because it is a major third above
the
> previously heard pitch "F".  Theory classes in college focus on sharpening
> all musicians' relative pitch through practice, and everyone, with
education
> and practice, can develop relative pitch.
>
> The phenomenon of "perfect pitch", whereas it might technically be a
> misnomer, is completely different from "relative pitch", and as far as I
> know, cannot be taught.
>
> Tom Sivak