According to the textbook, human ear can detect the sound range between 20 Hz to 20,000Hz. As if visual acuity is differ from the species, auditory perception is also differed. For instance, bats may hear higher pitched sounds that are not going to be perceived through our ears. However, certain people, especially engaged in a field of musical activities, have shown acute perception of sound. Special ability in pitch or reference tone is referred as absolute pitch (Absolute Pitch, 2005).
The interesting fact is that certain people who are absolute pitch detector, identifies and make inferences of environment sounds into the musical notes. In other words, they have ability of naming the pitch of non-musical tones. For instance, sound of rustling from the heap of leaves is recognized as sound of 'sol' to a person with perfect-pitch. I come up with a question that what makes them to be so specialized? Actually, I myself devoted quiet a lot of years in music by playing several instruments. I'm also able to identify most of the notes only by hearing. So I actually tried absolute pitch test holds from University of California, San Francisco which I got a result of not an absolute pitch person (bit disappointed).
Only several hypotheses are out in the research world. But usually the researchers assume that there might have genes that link this ability (Absolute Pitch, 2005). I was determined as non absolute-pitch person, but I still available to detect certain notes. Likewise, it seems we are able to enhance certain level of hearing by lifelong training.
You can actually check out your ability from the following link:
Give it a shot!
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/tunetest/Pages/Default.aspx
http://perfectpitch.ucsf.edu/survey/page1.php
For one I want to say that this is a really excellent post! Some very interesting things you talk about and I can tell that you spent some time with it.
I went through and did the pitch test that you posted and what do you know, 26/26. I'm sure that whether or not someone has a "good ear" is based a lot on practice with instruments and less so based on genetics (my personal opinion). I have played guitar for 15 years and when I heard a wrong note on some of those songs I not only knew, but they made me cringe! (so dissonant)
Do you know anything about the basis of perfect pitch and how that relates to the instrument you play? For example, I like to think I have (near) perfect pitch for an "E" note (the tonic, fundamental note on guitar) but don't have near as good of "perfect pitch" for other notes...
Great post though! :)
Although this is anecdotal evidence (which is usually not legit) I heard from my AP Music Theory teacher that all people are born with perfect pitch, but lose it if they don't study music.
I myself have good relative pitch (and you probably do too), which is characteristic of people who have studied music. Relative pitch gives you a better idea of what you are listening to, such as intervals and major/minor quality triads (technical).
Here's a website that spelled it out quite nicely, for music people: http://www.perfectpitch.com/perfectrelative.htm
It is a good thing that you got such wonderful score for the first test that I posted.
I did that test first, and I also got the high result pretty easily. I guess, personally, think the one that you did was for the musical note only. However in case of second test from California university, it requires several information before you take the test, but you can ignore some of the information you do not want to fill out. I guess it might give you more detailed and specific direction of your ability to catch the pitch.
It won't change your idea of how people get such ability. I also agree on your idea in some degree!
I really liked your article and the information that you provided.
I took the second test you provided and received a 26/26. I started the piano when I was 7 but shortly stopped and picked up the violin and voice lessons when I was 9. I think that if one is constantly surrounded by music and practices, that hearing pitches and having perfect pitch is quite possible. I would personally say it is nurture over nature, however I would like to see what else I can find about those with perfect pitch. My voice teacher is able to sing notes without the help of a piano or pitch pipe and I believe that it is due to being around music all the time and it is so incorporated into everything that she does. It is so much a part of her (nurture). However, I am not saying it is not possible that having perfect pitch is genetic (nature). I would like to be able to find more research on this subject and see what the thought is now about those with perfect pitch and musical abilities.