Absolute Pitch - Part 1
The Power to Recognize Pitch
by Graham English

Dear Fellow Musician,

Welcome to a new you! This new you hopes for nothing and expects everything. This new you is better than the old you. And this new you knows that you will become even better!

So let's get started on the path to ABSOLUTE PITCH POWER!

First, take the time to let yourself daydream about something relaxing. Focus on your breath flowing in and out. When you are relaxed and attentive, read on.

The first step to having absolute pitch is to believe that YOU CAN have absolute pitch. Imagine not knowing red from blue. It's difficult to imagine, isn't it? But did you know the names of colors when you were two years old? Not yet, you didn't. So just imagine that your ear is only two years old and you are now going to learn the different pitches. Doesn't sound so hard, does it? You already have this ability in your ear. All the mechanisms are there. Nothing physical has to change in order to have absolute pitch. So then, what does need to change?
YOUR MIND!

And the best part about changing your mind is that it's simple, easy and extremely powerful! You see, the mind doesn't know the difference between what's real and what's vividly imagined. That's why nightmares can be so scary and why fantasies are so much fun! So change your mind......and change your life!

Lesson 1: Get Leverage

Imagine how good it would feel to have absolute pitch. Really feel it. Make it real. Picture a time when absolute pitch could be useful. How about this, you're sitting in first class on a flight from your home town to New York where you're performing tonight. You've just eaten a delicious meal and are now washing your hands with a moist warm towel when...WHAMMO...you hear a great piece of music in your mind. Now imagine pulling a piece of manuscript paper from your carry-on and simply write down the idea just like you can transcribe every note that you hear. Make this scene real. Hear the sounds, feel the pen in your hand (you don't use pencils because you don't make mistakes anymore :), see the details of your surroundings. Now make these sensations bigger, closer, brighter, louder, clearer and more vivid. Bring the scene closer still. Make it even more intense. Visualize some other scenes where absolute pitch could be a great asset.

GREAT! Now you know how good it feels to have absolute pitch and you know the pleasure it can bring.

Next, think of the opportunities you could miss by not having absolute pitch. What would be the worst thing about not having absolute pitch? Would it be the missed opportunities, the wrong notes, the lack of musical influence you'll have, the poor self-esteem, or simply the lack of an amazing experience?

Now that you've used pain and pleasure to make having absolute pitch a must, decide to take action and create a plan. Set aside some time each day to work on your ear. Write it down. Seriously, WRITE IT DOWN. Sorry, didn't mean to yell. But writing it down makes it real. Writing your goal down sends the universe a message that you mean business! Put the date next to it. Now, make a fist and say it out loud. Now you're really putting it out into the world. Shout it! Vibrate the air with your dedication to having absolute pitch!

EXCELLENT! You're on your way.

Now, here's your musical exercise:

Go to your instrument and play a C. But before you do, hum a C. Just pretend you know what a C sounds like and hum it. Don't worry about being wrong. If you are wrong, figure out what note you hummed. Then play the C again. Really listen to the C. Notice how it makes you feel. Does it have an emotion attached to it or a color or a thought? Let the C affect you and simply listen. Be aware. Now hum the C. Then, play the C again and just listen. Do this for a couple of minutes. Alternate humming and listening. If you were lucky and correct the first time, don't get too excited. An ego only gets in the way of learning. Just say, "that's interesting," and follow the rest of the exercise of humming and then listening. The whole point of this exercise is to listen deeply.

For your homework, do the visualization and the musical exercise a couple of times over the next few days. Learning requires action so make this a priority. It doesn't take long- just 5 minutes at a time. And these 5 minutes are worth a lifetime of musical excellence!
Important:

In order to have absolute pitch, we must re-learn how to listen. And luckily, since you're alive, you can learn to do anything! So get ready for an amazing experience and get ready for lesson two.

For More on How to Learn Absolute Pitch fast and easy click here

©2003 Graham English, Used by permission