Whether or not someone has “perfect pitch” (sometimes called “absolute pitch”) is a debatable issue as this talent has to be tested in a number of ways. By definition, perfect pitch means being able to recognize a tone instantaneously simply by hearing it (without any reference such as a pitch pipe or a particular note on a piano or other instrument). In other words, if you play a note on the piano, someone with perfect pitch will be able to identify that note (be it an F, G#, Bb, etc.) without being told it’s name. Further, they should be able to identify that note without hearing (or knowing the name of) any other note. It is also assumed that someone with perfect pitch also has the ability to recognize the tone (note in music) of door bells, the ringing of a telephone, or the beeping of a microwave. Other ways someone can display perfect pitch are naming the key of a certain piece of music or identifying a particular chord and all the notes in that chord.
Studies of this phenomena are still being carried out but most feel that perfect pitch comes from both musical training and a genetic predisposition as it seems to run in families (though not as prominently as facial features or height and weight).
There are those that profess the ability to teach perfect pitch to anyone but the prevailing opinion is this is not true. Further, there is debate about the purpose and importance of having (and applying) the skill. Even for a working musician, perfect pitch is not a great aid to their performance.
Relative pitch is the difference between two notes (pitches) with one note (the first note played) being the reference. With a certain amount of musical training, some will be able to accurately sing a note compared to a reference note. For example, the note E is a whole step above the note D. If one is told the note being played is a D, they may be able to sing an E (the note one “step” above a D).
Some that show this skill admit to thinking of relative pitch as based on the mathematics of music. In other words, as above, the note E is one step above D, where F# is one step above E (making F# two steps above D). Using an octave as a reference point is also thought as part of the mathematics of music and can help find a pitch.
Relative pitch is very important when it comes to forming chords. The notes in a chord are relative to each other (as intervals) and its this relation that gives the chord its unique sound. For example, if the musician hears the root (note) of a chord, they can play or sing the other notes in the chord.
Sight reading can also be aided by understanding relative pitches. Many musicians, when seeing a group (or series) of notes on sheet music can (in their head) sing or play the notes. A good sight reader typically learns a piece much faster than some without the skill.

Perfect pitch is a musical term. It is universally defined as “the ability to identify and/or recreate a musical note without comparing it to a reference note.” It is the ability to hum, sing or play on an instrument any given note without hearing it first. Perfect pitch is also referred to as “absolute pitch.”

Most musicians don’t have perfect pitch, and it is not a requirement for top musicians. Most musicians have excellent relative pitch, which is the ability to identify a 2nd tone relative to some other tone.

People with perfect or absolute pitch tend to fall into two classes. The first class consists of those who are born with it. It’s much like any other musical gift. It could be compared to the ability to play piano without ever taking lessons or learning to read music. Few people are born with this gift. Those who are tend to become proficient musicians. Some famous musicians with perfect pitch include Celine Dion, Julie Andrews, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Glenn Gould.

The second class includes those who have trained themselves to have perfect pitch. Far more people with absolute pitch have learned it rather than were born with it. Those people with a natural aptitude towards music will probably be able to achieve it with practice.

A basic understanding of how musical notes work will help to determine whether you have perfect pitch. Western music consists of seven different whole tones. These tones or notes are assigned a letter of the alphabet as a name: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. There are also semitones between some of these notes. A C-scale, for example, contains the semitones C sharp, D sharp, F sharp, G sharp and A sharp.

Each note (whether a whole or semitone) is assigned a specific frequency. This frequency is the same no matter where in the world you live. It’s the same for every musical instrument and every sound, both natural and man-made. A “C” always sounds the same, everywhere and every time.

Most seasoned musicians are able to demonstrate relative pitch to some degree. This means that if a “C” is played, the person could then sing or play all of the other notes on the scale using the C as a reference point. Even young children with musical training can do this.

Someone with perfect or absolute pitch doesn’t need to have a “C” played to reproduce an accurate “C.” In fact, he or she can reproduce any note without a reference point. These people can also accurately name a single note that is played or sung. In fact, they can often hear a sound in the environment, like a car horn, and name its frequency.

So, do you have perfect pitch? If you’re a musician with at least a basic knowledge of notes and scales, test yourself. Play a CD and try to isolate a few notes. See if you can identify those notes without looking at a keyboard or other instrument. You may have perfect pitch if you are correct most or all of the time.

Another way to determine your ability level is to listen to music that’s relatively unfamiliar to you. See if you can determine what key a particular song is being played in after listening to a few bars. You can also listen to everyday sounds, like the refrigerator humming, and try to name those frequencies.