How much better are musicians with perfect pitch?

[Jaysen]

Hi Guys,

I have been thingking of buying this popular set of instruction-tapes that teaches you how to recognize the pitches of notes, just by ear. I have 2 questions?

1.)
Very helpful to hear from you, especially if you have gone through such an instruction course and can tell the difference before and after you acquired the ability - how have you improved, in any way(s), with perfect pitch?

2.)
The add for the instruction-course I'm thinking of getting is about some pianist who describes how he was competing with a fellow pianist at school who was born with perfect pitch; and how he struggled to discover the secret and finally "beat" her. How good is this particular course?

My warmest thanks y'all.

[darren wilson]

In my opinion, you don't need "perfect pitch" to develop a good ear for notes, chords, scales and modes. Practice, patience and an analytical ear will take you a long way in improving your ability to identify things by ear.

Does perfect pitch make you a better musician? In my opinion, no, it does not.

There's some debate over whether "perfect pitch" is an inborn trait (either you "have it" or you don't) or whether it can be learned. I think the claims made by David L. Burge are a little on the outrageous side, but he's been advertising for many years, so people must be having some degree of success with his methods.

[little wing]

i agree with darren. experience is way better. The more you pratice, the more experience you'll gain. Besides that you will also get more 'connected' to your guitar. What i mean is like you'll know your guitar better etc..

[kennydoe]

I have posted extensively on this subject. Do a search and ye shall find.

~K

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Jaysen

The add for the instruction-course I'm thinking of getting is about some pianist who describes how he was competing with a fellow pianist at school who was born with perfect pitch; and how he struggled to discover the secret and finally "beat" her. How good is this particular course?

The guy's a tool. I have no particular experience with the course he advertizes, but the ads piss me off- he's such an idiot/rockstar poser.

Ear training is INCREDIBLY valuable, but you can do just as much transcribing licks as you can from any tape set, and that'll be more valuable in the long run.

Also, another drill courtesy of Joe Satriani- set your metronome at a slow pace (~80bpm) and start improvising quarter notes (one per click) over the top, completely atonally, with no regard to scales or melodic patterns. Try to "predict" the sound of the note before you play it. After a few minutes, if you can, try singing along. This really makes you solidify what connections you already have, between a given pitch and a given fretboard position, and helps you learn to trust your ear.

-Drew