Penelope Corbett

Absolute pitch (AP), colloquially known as “perfect pitch”, refers to the rare ability to identify the note name of a given tone without external reference. It is known that AP is not an all-or-none ability, and different levels of AP have been previously proposed. However, no clear method to quantify the different levels of AP ability has yet been established. Another open question is the relationship between relative pitch (the comparison of one pitch with another) and AP in people who possess both abilities. This study aims to address both individual differences and contextual effects in AP possessors. In this online study, AP possessors were presented with all piano tones within an octave at tunings of 0, ±20, and ±40 cents, relative to standard (A=440 Hz) tuning. Note naming performance as a function of intonation of either the test tone itself or the musical interval between the test tone and its preceding tone was calculated and averaged across the twelve-note names for each participant. Individual response patterns were characterized by the peak and width of each response curve. Preliminary results suggest a) individual differences in systematic shifts in note-naming and b) a potential contrastive effect of the preceding interval’s intonation on note-naming and intonation ratings of a given stimulus. Once more data are collected, we will also be able to test earlier claims that increasing age results in a systematic downward shift of pitch, and determine whether previously observed AP contextual effects generalize to contexts of only a single prior tone. Overall, the study will provide valuable new insights into this fascinating but poorly understood musical ability.