Dichotomy and perceptual distortions in absolute pitch ability

Absolute pitch (AP) is the rare ability to identify the pitch of a tone without the aid of a reference tone. Understanding both the nature and genesis of AP can provide insights into neuroplasticity in the auditory system. We explored factors that may influence the accuracy of pitch perception in AP...

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Published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 104; no. 37; pp. 14795 - 14800
Main Authors Athos, E. Alexandra, Levinson, Barbara, Kistler, Amy, Zemansky, Jason, Bostrom, Alan, Freimer, Nelson, Gitschier, Jane
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States National Academy of Sciences 11.09.2007
National Acad Sciences
SeriesFrom the Cover
Subjects
Absolute pitch
Accuracy
Acoustic Stimulation
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Age groups
Algorithms
Application programming interfaces
Biological Sciences
Child
Confidence interval
Ears & hearing
Female
Hearing Tests
Humans
Internet
magnetic materials
Magnets
Male
Music
Musical perception
neuroplasticity
Perceptual distortion
Pianos
Pitch Discrimination - physiology
Pitch perception
Polls & surveys
Sensory perception
Sound pitch
surveys
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Absolute pitch (AP) is the rare ability to identify the pitch of a tone without the aid of a reference tone. Understanding both the nature and genesis of AP can provide insights into neuroplasticity in the auditory system. We explored factors that may influence the accuracy of pitch perception in AP subjects both during the development of the trait and in later age. We used a Web-based survey and a pitch-labeling test to collect perceptual data from 2,213 individuals, 981 (44%) of whom proved to have extraordinary pitch-naming ability. The bimodal distribution in pitch-naming ability signifies AP as a distinct perceptual trait, with possible implications for its genetic basis. The wealth of these data has allowed us to uncover unsuspected note-naming irregularities suggestive of a "perceptual magnet" centered at the note "A." In addition, we document a gradual decline in pitch-naming accuracy with age, characterized by a perceptual shift in the "sharp" direction. These findings speak both to the process of acquisition of AP and to its stability.
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Author contributions: N.F. and J.G. designed research; E.A.A., B.L., A.K., and J.Z. performed research; A.K. and J.Z. contributed new reagents/analytic tools; E.A.A., A.K., A.B., and J.G. analyzed data; and J.G. wrote the paper.
Edited by Michael M. Merzenich, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, and approved July 16, 2007
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0703868104