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 perfect pitch is a skill that few people possess. The singers, musicians, and composers on our list are truly fortunate to have this unique talent.
Contents
1. Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey, the Songbird Supreme, kicks off our list. Her five-octave vocal range and perfect pitch demonstrate her exceptional musical talent. Carey is a music icon with numerous chart-topping hits.
2. Mozart
Next on the list is the popular musician, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a child prodigy who started composing at seven. His perfect pitch let him easily identify notes, helping him create beautiful music still enjoyed by many.
3. Charlie Puth
Charlie Puth revealed in an interview with Jimmy Fallon that he was suspended in high school for singing the notes of a fire alarm, causing the entire campus to go home early. His perfect pitch was too much for the school to handle!
4. Karen Carpenter
Another iconic singer is Karen Carpenter, known for her angelic voice and beautiful melodies. Her perfect pitch created timeless hits like “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Close to You.” Richard Carpenter, her brother, mentioned she always nailed it on the first try in the studio after hearing it only a few times.
5. Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga is a Filipino singer and actress famously known for her role as Kim in the Broadway musical Miss Saigon. She also provided the singing voices for 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 allowed him to create iconic riffs and solos that many guitarists still emulate today. He’s also a great singer, proven by his hit song “All Along the Watchtower”.
7. Beethoven
Another musician with perfect pitch is Ludwig van Beethoven. As a prolific composer, he created famous classical pieces like “Symphony No. 9.” Beethoven could reportedly tune a piano by ear without any external reference.
8. Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald is often called the First Lady of Song. This highly influential jazz singer had a beautiful voice and perfect pitch. Her career spanned over five decades, earning her 13 Grammy Awards and lasting recognition even after her passing.
9. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston is a legendary singer known for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. She easily hits high notes and 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, best known as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch. She also had a successful singing career, releasing several albums. In an interview, she shared that she discovered her perfect pitch early on and even earned a college scholarship because of it.
11. Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson, a pianist, is one of the greatest jazz musicians ever. His perfect pitch allowed him to create intricate melodies and improvisations that captivated audiences globally. He has over 200 recordings and numerous Grammy awards in his career.
12. Keith Jarrett
Another successful pianist on my list is Keith Jarrett. He’s a prolific jazz musician with over 30 albums. His perfect pitch enables him to play the piano, drums, and harpsichord. In an interview, he said his ability to identify notes helps him “hear” the music in his head before playing it.
13. Jungkook of BTS
Jungkook, a singer and dancer from BTS, is known for his powerful vocals and dance moves. He has perfect pitch, earning him the nickname “The Musical Prodigy” due to this rare talent!
14. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra was a legendary singer famed for his smooth vocals and perfect pitch. His career lasted over five decades, releasing 59 studio albums and winning 11 Grammy Awards. He possessed a unique gift that set him apart.
15. Bing Crosby
Ending our list is Bing Crosby, a singer with perfect pitch. His most famous song, “White Christmas”, still plays every holiday season. His friend, Hoagy, noted Crosby could pitch a train’s honk even in his sleep.
Final Thoughts
Perfect pitch is a rare talent that few possess. These 15 singers and musicians have stunned the world with their exceptional abilities. They inspire 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 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, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bing Crosby Image by: CBS Radio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
