From rockkey@sbcglobal.net Tue Jan 18 06:15:51 2011
Subject:Re: Perfect Pitch

I once heard of a some survey done re: perfect pitch showed the typical accuracy of those with PP is about +/-3 cents, which is not considered accurate enough to tune a piano (depending on your desired pitch reference frequency and how lucky you are) but certainly good enough to use it just about anywhere else.

PP probably can be learned to some extent but I've known many to agree relative pitch is, not better, since if you've got PP you've probably got RP too, but most useful in practical musical situations, since you often have a point of reference anyway.

One member wrote about being difficult to transpose blues riffs. I agree. It may be unrealistic, but I think is a good idea to become fluent with all your riffs, fills, and chord forms/inversions in all keys. Easier said than done. I remember playing with a "horn" band in the early '70's. I was at 15 pretty much still a beginner(in many ways I still am :( and playing a solo in Eb or Bb was hopeless.

Cheers,
Rock