Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, refers to the ability to recognize a tone’s musical qualities without the use of a tuning fork or a piano. Perfect pitch people, for example, can hear a doorbell ring and recognize the tone as an A above middle C. It allows a musician to tune a guitar’s strings solely by sound, even detecting very subtle sharps and flats. Only a small percentage of people have perfect pitch, and many of those who do aren’t musically inclined. Surprisingly, those with autism or diagnosed savants have a higher prevalence of this ability.
The origins of perfect pitch are a point of contention among experts. Some argue that, like athletic or artistic ability, the ability to recognize tones and frequencies is largely innate. Without any formal musical training, some children are able to distinguish between different pitches. Those who have received musical training regard the ability as a fundamental skill, similar to muscle memory in athletes. When a recognizable tone is played or sung, someone who has perfect pitch does not need to think about what note it is — the note is what it is.
According to some experts, perfect pitch, or at least a usable version of it, can be learned over time. Instrumentalists and vocalists who practice for hours each day will eventually notice when their instruments are out of tune or their voices aren’t hitting the right notes. Because the rehearsal process is riddled with off-key sounds and other distractions, someone with innate perfect pitch may lose interest in music. For musical students, the ability to hear an ideal pitch can be both a blessing and a curse.
Some people with this skill can also recognize intervals between two notes or all of the notes in a chord when they are played together. Composers who want to hear only pure intervals prefer vocalists with perfect pitch. Because they can often detect a single out-of-tune instrument or vocalist, musicians with it may be asked to assist in the tuning process. Perfect pitch is not possessed by all successful musicians and composers. It’s a useful skill for performers and conductors who need to adjust tone with their sense of pitch, but it’s not strictly necessary for most creative aspects of the musical arena.