PitchBlitz

PitchBlitz is a software that will help prepare you for the Pitch Grid Test. As a relative pitch test, this evaluates your ability to discriminate pitch-distances. The notes are laid out in the form of a grid, with four rows of octaves starting from C2 to C5. The number of columns depends on the selected grid sensitivity, with 100 cents corresponding to 12 columns (chromatic scale) and 33 cents corresponding to 36 columns. This means that pitch-distances beyond half-step precision can be trained.

The Pitch Grid Test starts at a grid sensitivity of 1200 cents, meaning that the grid consists of only one column. To pass the test, you only have to click on the correct row where the played note was played. Once you pass 10 questions, the grid sensitivity decreases to 600 cents, meaning that the grid consists now of two columns. The difficulty increases each time you answer 10 questions, which means that you'll have to listen more carefully to figure out the destination note – and this leads to longer answer times.

It's important to note that the Pitch Grid Test is a relative pitch test, not an absolute pitch test. The last played tone is highlighted on the grid and marks your reference tone for the next question. To ensure that you aren't testing grid sensitivities you've already mastered, the test allows you to select the starting grid sensitivity. If you fail to answer the ten questions for a given grid sensitivity, then the test stops. Your relative pitch score is then calculated from the last past grid sensitivity and the maximum time you needed to answer a question.

Answering speed is crucial in assessing your relative pitch abilities, and PitchBlitz has several options to facilitate the learning process. The most important option is the ability to select an option that forces you to answer pitch questions in pitch distances. This program is an excellent tool to improve your relative pitch and is especially helpful for those who want to train beyond half-step precision.