Thursday, March 13, 2008

Can't sing? Blame your parents!

Listen up American Idol wannabes: It’s not Simon Cowell’s fault. It’s in your genes.






Genetic researchers in the U.S. recently suggested that one gene may hold the key to one’s ability to have perfect pitch – a trait found in only 1 in 10,000 people.

A study including 2,200 participants done at the University of California, San Francisco, found that people with perfect pitch can instantly pick out the pure tones with ease.(Nature) And those with the ability most often had musical training before the age of 7. (Nurture)

These factors lead them to the conclusion that there is a perfect pitch gene, which they plan to identify through gene mapping.

Doesn’t this make you in awe of how we are all largely gifted in different ways before we’re even born?

--

Karen Harrington is the author of JANEOLOGY, the story of one man's struggle to understand his wife and the genetic inheritance that contributed to her sudden violence.

1 comment:

Cheryl Tardif said...

Maybe American Idol needs to lower the age limit to 7. :)

Now I'm off to get tested to see if I have that "perfect pitch" gene...hehe

For an Idol update, please check out: Film Clipz & TV Showz.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song