Re: Absolute frequency / Perfect Pitch ??

[Martin Braun <nombraun@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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@VAX2.CONCORDIA.CA>
To: <AUDITORY@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@vax2.concordia.ca