From: Michael Will Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 07:32:02 -0800 Subject: [Fwd: Re: Perfect vs Absolute vs Relative Pitch Definition]
Return-Path: Received: from kaiwan009.kaiwan.com by ix8.ix.netcom.com (8.6.13/SMI-4.1/Netcom) id AAA23461; Wed, 13 Mar 1996 00:05:24 -0800 Received: (from wd6e~ocalhost) by kaiwan009.kaiwan.com (8.7.3/8.7.3) id AAA26628 for mic~x.netcom.com; Wed, 13 Mar 1996 00:05:23 -0800 (PST) *** KAIWAN Internet *** From: Mike Curtis Subject: Re: Perfect vs Absolute vs Relative Pitch Definition To: mic~x.netcom.com (Michael Will) Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 00:05:22 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: <31463347.5D~x.netcom.com> from "Michael Will" at Mar 12, 96 06:30:31 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL22] MIME-Version: 1.0 Status: U X-Mozilla-Status: 0011
Hi Mic'l;
> FYI, per the "Schaum Dictionary of Musical Terms" > > perfect pitch: Ability to identify, using only the sense of hearing, > the names of individual musical ~pitches~ [original italicized]. Such > ability is mostly innate but does require development and training. > Depending upon the degree of innate memory ability, the extent of > perfect pitch development can lead to naming and duplicating (either by > singing, playing an instrument or writing down music notes) of [sic] > intervals, chords, phrases and even whole pieces of music. Also called > ~absolute pitch~ [emphasis in original]. > > absolute pitch: Same as perfect pitch. > > relative pitch: Ability to recognize musical ~intervals~ by listening > and thereby to name subsequent ~pitches~ after hearing and knowing the > identity of a starting ~pitch~.
Interesting.
I suspect this may be wrong, at least in the sense it is often used in musical circles. I checked it in one dictionary and found PP listed as a synonym to AP. There are most certainly degrees of pitch recognition. While I can't quote, I've heard these two terms used by educated and knowledgeable people I would consider authorities as three separate relative terms.
Also, I enjoy hearing several instruments doubling the same note. Because of microtonal differences, a "chorus" effect occurs. To me, it sounds pleasant. To those with absolute pitch, it sounds like they're all out of tune and playing distinct notes, only one of which "belongs".
Douglas Tate posted on this phenomenom a while back. He might be able to refer you to something in writing. I've not "officially" studied music. Just lots of annoying questions, discussions, and "on the job training" :-)
It might not be a bad idea to CC this to the list for more research, but I'll leave that up to you.
