Ep. 11 From Perfect Pitch to Amusia: How the Brain Hears Music

Why can some people name any note out of thin air, while others can’t tell when a melody goes up or down? In this episode, we explore the fascinating spectrum of pitch perception — starting with perfect pitch, often called a “musical superpower,” and ending with amusia, a condition where music may sound confusing or even meaningless. From the brain science and cultural influences to real listener stories and mental health insights, this episode is all about the many different ways people experience music — and why all of them matter.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

02:06 What Is Perfect Pitch and Who Has It?

06:18 Nature vs Nurture: Can You Train Perfect Pitch?

15:57 Perfect Pitch in Practice: The Perks and the Pitfalls

21:47 Listener Stories: Your Experiences With Perfect Pitch

29:44 What Is Amusia?

36:59 How the Brain Processes Music

40:48 Summary and Outro

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