[Dixielandjazz] Equal temperament and perfect pitch

[Edgerton, Paul A]

If you really have perfect pitch (i.e. "absolute" pitch) then yes, you
would notice.  Would it be unpleasant?  Only if you absolutely insist
that the pitch be A=440.  In times past, the standard has been very
different.  People -- even those with perfect pitch -- still have a
reference to which they adapt.  Some orchestras, for example, tune to
A=442, or whatever the oboist is doing today.  Even the temperature of
the room affects pitch.

When most people say "perfect pitch" I think they are really talking
about a combination of tonal memory (the ability to recognize and
reproduce a given pitch) and accurate "relative" pitch, which is the
ability to hear intervals accurately.

In truth, perfect pitch is nothing more than the ability to throw an
oboe into the dumpster without breaking the reed.

-- Paul Edgerton


-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Ken Gates
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:18 AM
To: Dixieland Jazz
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Equal temperament and perfect pitch

To those of you who have the gift of perfect pitch----

What if-----a piano was tuned using an electronic tuner (equal
temperament) and it happened to be off by 1/4 a tone.  Band
members---all with good ears-- adjusted their axes to the piano.  You
walk into the room while they're playing.

Would you recognize that they are 1/4 tone off?  Would the fact that
they are playing in tune with each other make it "all right" with your
ear?  Or would the deviation from the natural harmonics----(which would
be much greater than the normal deviation of equal tempered
tuning)---cause an unpleasant sound to your ear?

Ken Gates (less than perfect pitch)


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