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Perfect Pitch: Nature or Nurture?
The sound of someone warbling the National Anthem makes just about everybody cringe. Today on Soundcheck, researchers explain how brain chemistry and genetics play a role in tone deafness and perfect pitch. Plus: Macedonian piano virtuoso Simon Trpceski is making waves in the U.S. Before his appearances this week with the New York Philharmonic, he visits our studio for a live performance.
The Gift of Pitch
Most people can't name a musical note without a reference tone, but those who can have so-called "perfect pitch." But are people born with perfect pitch, or can they earn it through diligent -- and early -- study? Two researchers share different studies on absolute pitch, amusia and everything in between. We talk with Dr. Jane Gitschier, professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco, and Dr. Michael C. Miller, MD, a psychiatrist and editor-in-chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter.
Test your ability to perceive music
Harvard Mental Health Letter web site
University of California-San Francisco pitch study
Simon Trpceski
Great Chopin pianists often hail from Poland or Russia. Then there’s Simon Trpceski, a 28-year-old piano virtuoso from Macedonia. Trpceski's recordings on EMI are just starting to ripple through the U.S. He joins us for a live performances.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
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John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
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Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
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In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
