Re: Absolute frequency / Perfect Pitch ?? (Martin Braun )


Subject: Re: Absolute frequency / Perfect Pitch ??
From:    Martin Braun  <nombraun(at)POST.NETLINK.SE>
Date:    Sat, 5 May 2001 18:24:47 +0200

Kevin, the term "absolute" in absolute pitch does not refer to a standard pitch, but to an absolute memory of pitch. What goes into this memory is a matter of learning. Absolute memory in this case means long-term memory. "Normal" persons, those without absolute pitch, only have a short-term memory of pitch (called relative pitch). To give an example from vision where things are the other way: Most of us have an absolute memory of color. We don't have to put a red ball on a green table in order to see that it's red. Martin ----- Original Message ----- From: KEVIN AUSTIN <KAUSTIN(at)VAX2.CONCORDIA.CA> To: <AUDITORY(at)LISTS.MCGILL.CA> Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2001 6:57 AM Subject: Absolute frequency / Perfect Pitch ?? > Thank you Martin ... and Grove's agrees with you ... however it may be > 'just' one of those semantic turns of terms. > > I can understand "absolute temperature", this not being psycho-metric > measurement, and I could go along with "absolute frequency", since it > appears (?) that pitch is perceptual, and I'm not so sure about "absolute > perception". > > Also I have considered the implication of saying that Benjamin Britten's > "absolute pitch" slipped a semitone when he got older. Two (or more) sets > of absolutes is .... Now, 'perfection' is in the eye / ear of the > beholder. (I've met people whose "absolute pitch" is a semitone away from > A=440, having been taught on an out-of-tune piano as children.) > > Best > > Kevin > kaustin(at)vax2.concordia.ca


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