Is It Practically Possible to Train Our Ear to Identify Every Frequency within Our Hearing Range?

The human ear is a complex and fascinating instrument capable of processing a vast range of frequencies. However, the question remains: is it practical to train our ear to identify every single frequency within our hearing range?

Understanding Absolute and Relative Pitch

If you can hear 'perfect' or 'absolute' pitch, you can identify the exact note of a sound without any reference. For example, hearing 'A0' at approximately 27.5 cycles per second and recognizing it as 'A' falls under the category of absolute pitch. However, if you cannot identify each frequency with perfect accuracy, you can still recognize frequencies relative to a known reference note, known as relative pitch. This means that if you have a reference note, such as a 'Bb0' (27.50 1/12 * 2), you can identify it as 'Bb' even if you cannot pinpoint the exact frequency. With some practice, even those who initially cannot hear relative pitch can develop this ability.

The Challenges of Identifying Frequencies

Identifying individual frequencies becomes increasingly difficult as you move up the frequency spectrum. Musical notes vibrate exponentially faster as you move up the scale. Recognizing the difference between 440 Hz and 441 Hz is not easy and requires a highly developed auditory system. While some individuals might subscribe to the belief that they can discern their piano's 442 Hz tuning from the standard 440 Hz, it is more likely that they perceive it as slightly brighter rather than a distinct difference.

The Limits of Human Hearing

Human hearing is typically between 20 Hz to 20 kHz, though this range can vary depending on age and ear care. The upper limit of 20 kHz progressively diminishes with age, and even minor differences like 19000 Hz and 19001 Hz, or the 4186th note on a piano tuned to a standard 440 Hz versus 4187 tuned to a higher frequency, are practically impossible to discern.

Expanding Your Frequency Identification Skills

Singling out specific frequencies becomes challenging, especially when going a few octaves up or on different instruments. The exponential nature of frequency increases means that even the slightest changes are not linear. For example, the 7th octave of the bottom C on a piano, 31 Hz, is 4185.984 Hz, not a linear progression.

It is worth noting that while absolute pitch might seem impossible to achieve, it is possible to develop your ability to identify notes accurately. Some musicians, like a colleague mentioned earlier, have developed near-perfect pitch through extensive practice. Consistent exposure and practice, especially in situations where they need to play songs in different keys, seem to have helped them achieve a remarkable level of accuracy in identifying notes.

Cases of Exceptional Frequency Identification

Extreme cases, such as Jacob Collier, demonstrate the spectrum of absolute pitch. Collier can give a very accurate estimate of the interval between notes in standard tuning, indicating a high level of auditory skill. However, even such highly skilled individuals cannot discern the difference between 19000 Hz and 19001 Hz, a difference of 0.09 cents.

In summary, while absolute pitch is highly rare, relative pitch and the ability to identify notes with significant accuracy are achievable with practice. The human ear's ability to discern minor frequency changes, like 19 kHz versus 19.01 kHz, is beyond the capacity of most individuals.

Conclusion

The ability to identify and remember every single frequency within our hearing range is practically out of reach. However, with consistent practice and exposure, one can significantly improve their pitch recognition skills, moving closer to a more precise understanding of the sounds they hear.

References

1. Absolute Pitch - Wikipedia. (2023). Wikipedia 2. Hertz - Wikipedia. (2023). Wikipedia 3. Cents - Wikipedia. (2023). Wikipedia

Key Keywords: absolute pitch, relative pitch, frequency identification