Absolute pitch (AP) is the rare ability to perceive and name a musical note by hearing it in isolation, that is, without a known reference note. Given the general uncertainty regarding its origin, is it something that can be taught? And would an effective way of doing this be through training one to associate haptic feedback with pitch?

Regarding the question of whether or not AP can be taught, not much is known. Some genetic factors which may contribute to the ability have been isolated, like the like the 8q24.21 gene, but reasoning can lead one to believe that if people exist who can use AP, all humans likely have the necessary neurophysiological mechanisms to do so. If this is the case, then acquiring AP should only be a matter of “convincing the brain,” so to speak, that it is an important skill.

Dr. David Eagleman of Stanford University has worked with the developers at Neosensory, a Silicon Valley based company, to create wearable technology which provides haptic feedback in the form of vibrations as a response to different stimuli. The most advanced device they have developed so far is a VEST (Virtual Extra Sensory Transducer) which vibrates on the wearer’s body in response to any number of stimuli. They have been able to do many amazing things with this technology, such as training the brains of deaf people to be able to “hear” by training them to subconsciously associate sounds with vibrations of the vest. However, another potential use of this that is being tested currently is the application to pitch perception.

CAN SENSORY SUBSTITUTION HELP MUSICIANS LEARN AP?

One of the few phenomena that cause AP that is understood somewhat presently is called "Chromesthesia." It is a form of synesthesia between sound and color, where each musical note is inexplicably associated with a color in the brain of one who has it. And since the association allows its posessors to use AP,