relative pitch

noun

, Music.

1. the pitch of a tone as determined by its relationship to other tones in a scale.
2. the ability to identify or sing a tone by mentally determining the distance of its pitch from that of a tone already sounded.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relative pitch¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It may therefore be supposed to have been established before the relative pitch of other keys had been settled.

From Project Gutenberg

A system, as we have seen, is a series of notes whose relative pitch is fixed.

From Project Gutenberg

That is to say, any three or more notes whose relative pitch is fixed may be regarded as forming a particular System.

From Project Gutenberg

In the following demonstrations of relative pitch numbers, we adopt a pitch in which middle C has 256 vibrations per second.

From Project Gutenberg

All competent musicians possess the power of relative pitch.

From Project Gutenberg