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raychenviolin OP t1_j7zjok5 wrote

Reply to comment by Significant_Basil_59 in I’m Ray Chen, international concert violinist, performed in over 60 countries, was featured in Riot Game’s Emmy winning animated series, Arcane, and cofounder of Tonic, an app that motivates you to practice. AMA! by raychenviolin

I do have perfect pitch, though when the note gets too low (think bottom 5 notes of the piano), it becomes difficult for me to differentiate.

That being said, I don't think it's too important to have perfect pitch from a musical standpoint, but it is important to have familiarity with your instrument eg. knowing what the note is when you put your 3rd finger down on a particular valve/string/etc.

I'd be curious to hear what musicians who don't have perfect pitch have struggled with (other than being made fun of). As a musician who does, I have struggled with transposing (eg. when I attempted Paganini's Violin Concerto alla Scordatura (with the tuning raised by a half note) but that may also be the intense familiarity I have with my instrument which was tripping me up.

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