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Re: Absolute pitch discussion
The PNAS paper suggests a genetic basis for AP, but actually does not  
present any evidence for this. Awaiting this evidence, others —not  
cited in this paper— have argued and shown that it is more likely 1)  
a result of training (e.g., Vitouch, 2003), or 2) simply a result of  
biases due to the task and stimuli used. For example, Schellenberg  
and Trehub (2003) find support for a normal, not bimodal,  
distribution once pitch-naming or reproduction requirements are  
eliminated and familiar materials (such as soundtracks of tv  
programs) are used.
hh
[1] http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/mp.2003.21.1.111
[2] http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-9280.03432
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Dr H. Honing
Universiteit van Amsterdam
http://www.hum.uva.nl/mmm/hh/
Music Matters: http://www.musiccognition.nl/blog
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