Terms like tone deaf and perfect pitch sound so absolute. The
truth is we all (save the truly deaf) possess some degree of “ear.” Regardless
of our innate abilities, we can improve with practice. Tone deafness is the
inability to discern the subtle difference between pitches. When I work with a tone
deaf child, I begin by playing a note on the piano. Then I play a new note and
ask if the second was higher or lower. At first the two notes are very far
apart; three octaves or more. Gradually as his skill improves, I choose notes
that are closer and closer. Later I sing a note and ask him to sing it back to
me. If he gets it wrong, I match his pitch and “lead” him back to the first
note I sang. This feels a lot like what a violinist does when tuning his
instrument. In a sense, it is tuning an ear.
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