judifilksign

In the checkout lines at the grocery store today, I heard a little girl singing the "Ba da, da-da-da, I'm lovin it" jingle for McDonald's. The mom was stressed, and not really into it.

I noticed that the very young child - about three years old - was very much in tune - perfectly so. I complimented her mom on her beautiful voice, and told her that I thought her daughter had perfect pitch, unusual and a talent to watch for.

The mom said her daughter often made her *crazy* singing at odd times, but that she'd heard other people say that her baby had a nice voice.

I asked the mom if the girl held her hands over her ears at strange noises, or when people sang, and she said that she did. I repeated that I thought she had perfect pitch, and sang a little snatch of song. The little girl, cocking her head at me, repeated the song bit, note for note and pitch perfect. I did another song phrase, a filk song I know she'd never have heard before, and she did the same thing.

Mom was astonished. She asked me if I was a music teacher, how did I know about this? I told her my own young daughter had perfect pitch, and my dad was a composer. I said that she would probably benefit from music lessons from a very young age, and would love music toys.

Mom said that she bet that her little girl would grow up and be in the marching band at school, and left very pleased, adding that her if her child was annoying, she was at least actually talented and showing off rather than just being a pain. ( ! )