Perfect pitch is the ability to identify or recreate a given musical note without the aid of an external reference. This skill is rare in the general population, let’s discuss 15 famous singers and musicians who have perfect pitches!
Believe it or not, having a perfect pitch is a skill that not a lot of people have. The singers, musicians, and composers that make it on our list are indeed blessed to have this unique ability.
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1. Mariah Carey
We are starting our list strong with the Songbird Supreme herself, Mariah Carey. The five-octave vocal range that she boasts is one of the many reasons why she is considered to have a perfect pitch along with her great ear for music. She is a music icon with numerous hits that have made their way to the top of the charts throughout her career.
2. Mozart
Next on the list is a popular musician, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a child prodigy who began composing music at the age of seven. His perfect pitch allowed him to easily identify notes, which helped him create beautiful pieces of music that are still enjoyed by many today.
3. Charlie Puth
Did you know that Charlie Puth got suspended in high school once due to his perfect pitch? During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, he shared that he got suspended for singing the notes of a fire alarm, which led to the entire campus going home early. We guess his talents were just too much for his school to handle!
4. Karen Carpenter
Another iconic singer on the list is Karen Carpenter. She was known for her angelic voice and beautiful melodies. Her perfect pitch helped her create timeless hits such as “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Close to You”. His brother, Richard Carpenter, says every time they record in the studio, Karen always gets it right on the first try despite hearing it only a few times.
5. Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga is a Filipino singer and actress who is best known for her role as Kim in the hit Broadway musical, Miss Saigon. She was also the singing voice behind two Disney Princesses – Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. Fun fact: she can identify a note just by hearing it, even if it’s played on a different instrument!
6. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest guitarists in rock music. His perfect pitch helped him create iconic riffs and solos that are still emulated by many guitarists today. He is also a great singer, as evidenced by his hit song “All Along the Watchtower”.
7. Beethoven
Another musician who is considered to have a perfect pitch is Ludwig van Beethoven. He was a prolific composer who created some of the most well-known classical pieces such as “Symphony No. 9″. He can also reportedly tune a piano by ear without the use of an external reference.
8. Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald is often referred to as the First Lady of Song. She was a highly influential jazz singer who had a beautiful voice and perfect pitch. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she won 13 Grammy Awards and continued to be recognized even long after she died.
9. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston is a legendary singer who is known for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. Her ability to sing high notes with such ease is truly impressive. She has numerous hits including “I Will Always Love You”, “Saving All My Love for You”, and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”.
10. Florence Henderson
Florence Henderson was an actress and singer who is best known for her role as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch. She also had a successful singing career, releasing several albums throughout her lifetime. In an interview, she once said that she discovered she had a perfect pitch way back and even got a college scholarship because of it.
11. Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson is a pianist who is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. His perfect pitch helped him create complex melodies and improvisations that amazed audiences worldwide. He has 200+ recordings and multiple Grammy awards throughout his career.
12. Keith Jarrett
Another successful pianist that made it to our list is Keith Jarrett. He is a prolific jazz musician with over 30 albums under his belt. His perfect pitch allows him to play multiple instruments such as the piano, drums, and harpsichord. In an interview, he once said that his ability to identify notes helps him “hear” the music in his head before he plays it.
13. Jungkook of BTS
Jungkook is a singer and dancer from the popular K-pop group, BTS. He is known for his powerful vocals and dance moves. But did you know that he also has perfect pitch? He is also called “The Musical Prodigy” because of this rare talent!
14. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is a legendary singer who was known for his smooth vocals and perfect pitch. His career spanned over five decades, during which he released 59 studio albums and won 11 Grammy Awards. He was one of the few people who was gifted with this unique talent.
15. Bing Crosby
Finishing off our list is Bing Crosby, another singer with perfect pitch. His most famous song is “White Christmas”, which is still played every holiday season. His friend, Hoagy, testified that Crosby can even pitch a train’s honk in his sleep.
Final Thoughts
Perfect pitch is a rare talent that only a few people are born with. These 15 singers and musicians have amazed the world with their exceptional abilities. They are a true inspiration to aspiring artists everywhere.
Mariah Carey Image by: WBLS, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mozart Image by: Barbara Krafft, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Charlie Puth Image by: LG전자, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Karen Carpenter Image by: White House photo by Knudsen, Robert L., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Lea Salonga Image by: The Tony Awards, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jimi Hendrix Image by: A. Vente, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, via Wikimedia Commons
Beethoven Image by: Karl Joseph Stieler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ella Fitzgerald Image by: Lewin/Kaufman/Schwartz, Public Relations, Beverly Hills, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Whitney Houston Image by: PH2 Mark Kettenhofen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Florence Henderson Image by: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Oscar Peterson Image by: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Keith Jarrett Image by: English: Published by ABC/Impulse! Records. Photographer uncredited and unknown., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jungkook Image by: Samsung Saudi Arabia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frank Sinatra Image by: English: Photograph by Capitol Records, per a credit found in the 1959 edition of the International Celebrity Register at page 696. No known source credits an individual photographer., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bing Crosby Image by: CBS Radio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
