Notes on hearing music
Practical, honest articles on ear training, perfect pitch, tuning, rhythm, singing and sound, from Perfect Pitch Lab.
White vs Pink vs Brown Noise: Which Is Best for Focus and Sleep?
White, pink and brown noise sound different because their energy is spread differently. Here's what each one is, what people use it for, and what the evidence says.
What Is Perfect Pitch? How Rare It Is, Who Has It, and How to Know
Perfect pitch means naming a note without any reference. Here's what it is, how rare it is, how to tell if you have it, and which famous musicians do.
What Is My Vocal Range? Voice Types Explained
How to find your vocal range, what soprano, alto, tenor and bass actually mean, and why your voice type is about more than your highest note.
Perfect Pitch vs Relative Pitch: What's the Difference?
Perfect pitch names notes with no reference; relative pitch hears how notes relate. Here's how they differ, which matters more, and which you can learn.
How to Tune a Guitar: With a Tuner, and by Ear
Standard guitar tuning is E A D G B E. Here's how to tune with an online tuner, how to tune by ear when you don't have one, and how to keep it in tune.
How to Train Your Ear for Music: A Beginner's Plan
Ear training for beginners: what to practise first, in what order, and how long it takes to hear intervals, chords and melodies by ear.
How to Practise with a Metronome (and Actually Get Faster)
A metronome is the most underused tool in music practice. Here's how to use one to build clean speed, steady timing and confidence.
How to Learn Intervals by Ear (with Song References)
Intervals are the building blocks of playing by ear. Here's a song for every interval, a practice routine that works, and how to move beyond the songs.
How to Get Perfect Pitch Like Charlie Puth (An Honest Guide)
Charlie Puth names notes from car horns and coffee cups. Can you learn to do that? Here's what's realistic, and a daily routine to train toward perfect pitch.
Can Tone Deaf People Learn to Sing? Yes, and Here's How
Most people who think they're tone deaf can learn to sing in tune. Here's why singing off-key happens, and a step-by-step way to fix it.
Can Adults Learn Perfect Pitch? What the Research Actually Says
For decades the answer was "no, it's too late." Two recent studies say some adults can learn it. Here's what they found, and what it means for you.
Am I Tone Deaf? How to Tell, and Why You Probably Aren't
Most people who think they're tone deaf can hear pitch fine. Here's what tone deafness really is, how to test yourself, and how to sing more in tune.
432 Hz vs 440 Hz: What's the Real Difference?
Some say 432 Hz is the natural, healing tuning. Here's what actually changes between 432 and 440 Hz, where the claims come from, and how to hear it yourself.