Are you ACTUALLY tone deaf?
- The Mary Word
- Apr 6
- 7 min read
By Heidi Rong
Can you sing a C#? What about an Eb? G#? F? Did you grow up with a musical background? Have you ever recognised a note the moment you heard it?
For a handpicked few, this god-given gift, known as perfect pitch, comes as naturally as breathing, turning every sound into a distinct and familiar tone.
Perfect or absolute pitch is often considered a complex and fascinating ability—a gift that allows someone to identify or recreate musical notes without any external reference. It’s as if the notes themselves carry a unique identity, and those with perfect pitch have an innate ability to recognise it.
On the other hand, perfect pitch is a double-edged sword, a blessing with a catch. It grants individuals an extraordinary ability to recreate musical notes with precision, spotlighting them as musical prodigies. But the flip side? People with perfect pitch describe it as alarmingly overwhelming, as they are hypersensitive to off-pitch notes or sounds. Many go on further to describe it as a blessing they cannot turn off—a constant awareness that isolates them, trapping them in a prison of their own heightened perception. The world becomes an endless symphony of imperfections, where even the slightest deviation from pitch perfection is simply grating nails on a chalkboard.
Terrifying, right?
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is tone deafness, or in scientific terms, congenital amusia.
Tone deafness is a condition where individuals struggle to perceive or differentiate musical pitches. This makes it challenging to recognise melodies, harmonies, or even slight tone variations. People with tone deafness have difficulty singing in tune or matching a pitch they hear, often feeling disconnected from the nuances of music.
Now, here's the real question. How do I recognise if I have perfect pitch, tone deafness and everything in between?
The true answer lies in a simple test. The difficulty will slightly increase every question, and for high scorers, a second test which will guarantee perfect pitch individuals. This questionnaire will not fully guarantee accuracy, but it will underscore your current auditory musical ability. After each question, record your answers on a sheet of paper.
Question 1: You will hear two notes being played one after the other.
The second note is _____ than the first?
Higher
Lower
Question 2: You will hear two notes being played one after the other.
The second note is _____ than the first?
Higher
Lower
Question 3: You will hear two notes, separated by a 5-second gap.
Are the notes the same or different?
Same
Different
Question 4: You will hear two notes, separated by a 5-second gap.
Are the notes the same or different?
Same
Different
The next section of the test features Western music theory, major and minor tonalities. Major scales follow a structured intervallic pattern of whole tones and halftones (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), producing a consonant and uplifting quality associated with happiness or brightness. In contrast, minor scales evoke a more nuanced, introspective, or emotionally complex atmosphere. They exist in three primary forms: the natural minor, which has a plaintive and uniform character; the harmonic minor, which elevates the seventh degree to a leading tone and adds heightened tension; and the melodic minor, which, in its ascending form, raises the sixth and seventh degrees for smoother melodic motion, returning to the natural minor in descent.
In summation, major chords are typically joyous and buoyant, while minor chords consist of melancholic and darker emotions.
Major Chord Example (G Major):
Minor Chord Example (G Minor):
Question 5: You will hear a chord.
Which chord does this example feature?
Major Chord
Minor Chord
Question 6: You will hear a chord.
Which chord does it feature?
Major Chord
Minor Chord
The next part of the test is primarily focused on consonance and dissonance. They can be thought of as “release” and “tension”. Musicians tend to refer to them as questions (dissonance) and answers (consonance) due to their interdependent relationship within the structural framework of music. Dissonance, with its inherent tension and sense of instability, creates yearning for resolution, acting as the question. A moment of unresolved inquiry or dramatic suspense, captivates the ear and stirs emotional engagement. Consonance, by contrast, serves as the answer—imbued with a sense of repose and equilibrium, it provides the much-anticipated resolution that offers closure to the music.
Consonance and dissonance are fundamental concepts in the study of Western music, emotional and structured pillars of harmonic and melodic language. Consonance, broadly defined, refers to the combination of tones that produce a sensation of stability, repose, or aesthetic agreement to the human ear. This quality often utilises resolution or harmony. It aligns with culturally ingrained perceptions of tonal balance, and intervals such as octaves, perfect fifths, and major thirds are historically regarded as archetypes of consonance due to their acoustic simplicity and low harmonic tension. In contrast, dissonance arises from the interplay of tones that generate a perception of instability or conflict. These intervals – like minor seconds, tritones, or major sevenths—initially appear jarring to the listener. But it also creates the tension of dissonance, which propels harmonic motion. Consonance, the “answer”, creates a dynamic ebb and flow and adds intrigue and motion to the music.
Ultimately, consonance and dissonance are key to Western music, representing stability and tension, respectively. Consonance provides harmony and resolution, while dissonance creates conflict and drives movement. Their interplay adds depth and emotional engagement, forming the dynamic core of musical expression.
Question 7: You will hear a chord (a harmony of three or more notes) followed by a note.
Listen closely to see if they clash or fit.
Consonance (fit together)
Dissonance (clash)
You will hear a scale (set of musical notes ordered by pitch) followed by a note.
Question 8:
Listen closely to see if they clash or fit.
Consonance (fit together)
Dissonance (clash)
Question 9: You will hear a melody (sequence of notes in a tune) followed by a note.
Listen closely to see if they clash or fit.
Consonance (fit together)
Dissonance (clash)
Answers for 1-9:
A)
B)
B)
B)
B)
A)
A)
B)
B)
0-3 - Tone Deaf: At this stage, a person's sense of relative pitch is minimally developed. They often find it difficult to notice changes in pitch or to identify different intervals, and their awareness of tonal differences is quite limited. This can make it complex for them to recognise melodies, harmonies, or any connections between sounds in music. Tone deafness or amusia is a challenge in perceiving music pitch-based elements.
4-5 - Basic Recognition: In this stage, relative pitch is emerging but remains inconsistent. They may find simple melodies or tonalities somewhat familiar and may recognise some intervals or pitch relationships. They are not always reliable or accurate. Individuals might struggle with more complex tonal structures or subtle pitch differences. Continued practice and exposure will ascend a person’s musical recognition to proficiency.
6-7 - Proficient Recognition: Relative pitch is quite well-developed, and individuals can confidently identify intervals and tonal relationships in melodies and chords. They are capable of recognising pitch patterns and fitting notes into tonal contexts with accuracy. This level reflects strong musical sensitivity and is quite often accompanied by the ability to engage in practical musical tasks such as harmonising or transposing.
8–9 - Extensive Recognition: Individuals at this level represent an exceptional level of pitch recognition. Relative pitch is mastered, and the ability to identify and analyse intervals, scales, and harmonic contexts with ease. They can recognise complex tonal structures, predict melodic progressions, and resolve harmonic tension, and this level of expertise is often seen in accomplished musicians. It demonstrates a deep understanding of musical nuance and structure.
If you scored within the Proficient to Advanced level, you may have a chance of being the lucky 1 in 10,000 person who is born with perfect pitch.
This second test introduces a substantial increase in the complexity of the questions.
Question 1: You will hear a note.
Listen closely and identify it.
Question 2: You will hear a note.
Listen closely and identify it.
Question 3: You will hear a chord.
Identify the 3 notes.
Question 4: Sing or hum the notes on command without any references.
G
Bb
D#
The last questions are extremely difficult and complex for musicians and non-musicians alike. If they are completed with success, it is an almost absolute guarantee of perfect pitch.
Question 5: Transcribe the exact notes, pitches, key, and rhythm of a short melody, including any dynamic changes (e.g., crescendos or decrescendos) and articulation details (e.g., staccato or legato).
Question Five
Answers for 1-5:
1. B
2. G#/Ab
3. F# Major Chord – F#, A#, C#
4. N/A
5.
Ultimately, perfect pitch is a modern, natural-born phenomenon, depending on who exactly you ask. Some may tell you absolute pitch is rare and impressive, an ability able to recreate with precision and expertise, bestowed upon the lucky few among us. Others will certainly quote its overwhelming nature of constant sensitivity to out-of-tune sounds and off-key notes. Hearing every single tiny imperfection in an endless stream of noise, and unable to turn it off. Whether or not you possess the capabilities of this two-sided coin, this test has highlighted the potential of your auditory recognition. Seen as a gift and a curse, perfect pitch underscores the intricate connection we have with music.
For those without perfect pitch, the journey of honing relative pitch and developing musical skills remains equally rewarding, proving that the beauty of music is accessible to all, regardless of innate abilities. After all, music’s true essence lies within the interpretation of the audience.
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