title: A developmental study of latent absolute pitch memory.
abstract: The ability to recall the absolute pitch level of familiar music (latent absolute pitch memory) is widespread in adults, in contrast to the rare ability to label single pitches without a reference tone (overt absolute pitch memory). The present research investigated the developmental profile of latent absolute pitch (AP) memory and explored individual differences related to this ability. In two experiments, 288 children from 4 to12 years of age performed significantly above chance at recognizing the absolute pitch level of familiar melodies. No age-related improvement or decline, nor effects of musical training, gender, or familiarity with the stimuli were found in regard to latent AP task performance. These findings suggest that latent AP memory is a stable ability that is developed from as early as age 4 and persists into adulthood.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Goldsmiths, University of London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jakubowski
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Goldsmiths, University of London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Müllensiefen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Goldsmiths, University of London , London , UK.|b Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine , Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg , Denmark.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009146:Music; D010898:Pitch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Absolute pitch; Development; Musical memory