creators_name: Levitin, Daniel J
type: journalp
datestamp: 1998-04-26
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:54:08
metadata_visibility: show
title: Absolute memory for musical pitch: Evidence from the production of learned melodies
ispublished: pub
subjects: appl-cog-psy
subjects: cog-psy
full_text_status: public
abstract: Evidence for the absolute nature of long-term auditory memory is provided by analyzing the production of familiar melodies. Additionally, a two-component theory of absolute pitch is presented, which conceives of this rare ability as consisting of a more common ability, pitch memory, and a separate, less common ability, pitch labeling. Forty-six subjects sang two different popular songs and their productions were compared to the actual pitches used in recordings of those songs. 40% of the subjects sang the correct pitch on at least one trial; 12% of the subjects hit the correct pitch on both trials, and 44% came within two semitones of the correct pitch on both trials. The results show a convergence with previous studies on the stability of auditory imagery and latent absolute pitch ability; further, the results suggest that individuals might possess representations of pitch that are more stable and accurate than previously recognized.
date: 1994
date_type: published
publication: Perception & Psychophysics
volume: 56
number: 4
pagerange: 414-423
refereed: TRUE
citation:   Levitin, Daniel J  (1994) Absolute memory for musical pitch: Evidence from the production of learned melodies.  [Journal (Paginated)]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/643/1/pitch.HTM