Can somebody explain what process it involves? To tell the key signature of a piece immediately upon hearing it, usually after the first or two measures. Is it a common ability for people with absolute pitch?

Thanks,
C

cinstance, I suggest that you use the "search" feature, because you will find a lot of information. Also ask in the Adult Beginner Forum where this is discussed a lot, as well as the "non-classical" section.

Yes, it is very common.

It's more difficult if you listen to somewhere random in the middle of a piece where the music modulates everywhere.

Thanks for the answer AZNpiano. I ask because I find that my ear can identify the tonic by feel, but cannot tell the name of the key since I do not have absolute pitch.

While most people do not have "absolute pitch", something very close to that can be developed. If one spends several hours each day reading, writing, or teaching music, certain pitches and keys begin to have a familiar "ring" to them.

Conservatory students frequently develop (relative) perfect pitch, but only on their particular instrument(s). So, often a bassoon player knows with certainty, and without looking, when another bassoonist is playing G, for example. But that same musician may not recognize the same G played by, say, a tenor sax.

Ed

Yes -- this is totally me. I can name pitches on a piano, no problem, but I'm not very accurate on any other instrument. I believe you just 'memorize' the pitches that you hear. I can't really explain it better than that.