1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The main purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a shift from absolute to relative pitch perception occurs during early childhood. Other factors that can influence the development of absolute pitch [AP], such as cognitive abilities and the child’s environment were examined. » (p. ii)

Questions/Hypothèses :
« The three main questions of the study are :
1) Is there a shift in pitch perception from absolute to relative during early childhood that could facilitate the acquisition of AP at an early age? [...]
2) Do cognitive abilities affect the development of AP in children? [...]
3) Are there clear associations between environmental factors such as family (e.g. musical background, interest in studying music, and listening preferences) and the development of AP in children? » (pp. 6-7)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The data for this study were collected at the Montessori-Quebec children’s school between April and June 2002. The Montessori school, a private educational institution [that] did not include formal music instruction. [...] A total of 107 children aged between 3 and 9 were recruited (48 male and 58 female) to participate in the project. » (pp. 45-46)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« The results indicate that a shift from absolute to relative perception occurs between the ages of 5 and 7. Children younger than six demonstrated limited ability to perform relational tasks such as ordering bells, identifying transposed intervals, and comparing pitches. However, they memorized target pitches better than the older children, matched target tones on the xylophone and sang newly learned songs in their original key more often than did the older children. Older children benefited to a larger extent from the training on relative pitch. Cognitive and spatial abilities were related to absolute pitch development : children who identified pitches better had a more sequential and a less simultaneous way of processing information. Family musical environment seems to have influenced the development of absolute pitch. Implications for the acquisition of absolute pitch are discussed. »