How to Develop Relative Pitch

Some musicians are born with “perfect pitch,” the ability to identify a pitch or key with flawless accuracy simply by hearing it. The rest of us must work at developing “relative pitch,” the ability to identify a pitch or key with reasonable accuracy by humming or singing it. Having at least relative pitch is vital for conductors and music educators. This article will provide a few tips to get you started in cultivating this elusive, difficult skill.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A piano or keyboard
• Music recordings (preferably choral or vocal music)

1. Take inventory of where you are in terms of your innate sense of pitch. In your mind, imagine “middle C.” You can close your eyes if you wish. Hum the pitch you hear in your mind.
2. Open your eyes and play middle C on your piano or keyboard. If your guess was within a whole step of the correct pitch, you are off to a good start. Even if it wasn’t, don’t give up yet.
3. Every time you pass a piano or keyboard, or every time you go to practice (whether you sing or play an instrument), practice “finding” middle C in your voice. Hum the pitch you think is middle C and then check by playing the correct pitch on the piano.
4. Concentrate and memorize how middle C feels in your voice. The key to developing relative pitch is memorizing how particular pitches feel in your vocal range.
5. Work on other pitches and key when you think you’re getting a good handle on middle C. Play simple melodies on the piano and hum along, memorizing where each pitch “sits” in your vocal range.
6. Listen to recordings (preferably vocal or choral) of pieces whose keys you already know. Listen intently and hum along with them if you wish. Memorize what the different keys sound like.
7. Be patient. Relative pitch takes a long time for some people to master. But if you have an ear for music, you will develop it with time and practice.