Absolute and relative pitch identification by absolute pitch possessors

Abstract

The identification of absolute and relative pitch was investigated with absolute pitch (AP) possessors and nonpossessors as subjects. In an AP experiment, isolated tones of different pitches (including microtonal pitches) were presented as stimuli in random order. Subjects were requested to select and press a key corresponding to each stimulus on a musical keyboard. While the responses of non‐AP subjects were widely dispersed, the AP subjects could categorize the presented tones quite consistently. Specifically, they identified white‐key notes more correctly and rapidly than black‐key notes. In a relative pitch experiment, isolated melodic ascending intervals from the minor second to the octave were randomly presented. The lower tone of an interval was either middle C, F♯, or a 50‐cent higher D♯. Then non‐AP subjects performed more or less successfully and almost equally regardless of transposition. On the other hand, the AP subjects made more errors and gave longer response times when the lower tone of an interval was F♯ or the higher D♯ than when it was C. These results suggest that at least some AP possessors have difficulty in dealing with musical intervals and tend to rely upon their AP sense in the face of a relative pitch task.