ABSOLUTE MEMORY FOR MUSICAL PITCH - EVIDENCE FROM THE PRODUCTION OF LEARNED MELODIES

Evidence for the absolute nature of long-term auditory memory is provi ded by analyzing the production of familiar melodies. Additionally, a two-component theory of absolute pitch is presented, in which this rar e ability is conceived as consisting of a more common ability, pitch m emory, and a separate, less common ability, pitch labeling. Forty-six subjects sang two different popular songs, and their productions were compared with the actual pitches used in recordings of those songs. Fo rty percent of the subjects sang the correct pitch on at least one tri al; 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 res ults show a convergence with previous studies on the stability of audi tory imagery and latent absolute pitch ability; the results further su ggest that individuals might possess representations of pitch that are more stable and accurate than previously recognized.