Is it possible to train your musical hear to hear notes and recognize them?

Question:I mean without picking the keys out on the keyboard to figure out what they are?
For example, if you heard a "C" or a "d flat" is it possible to train your ear to automatically recognize which key it is? If so, how would you go about it?
I have some ideas, but I just need to know if Im on the right track.
Also, are there any online sites or any other programs you can buy that will facilitate this learning?
Thanks so much I will pick best answer!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I mean without picking the keys out on the keyboard to figure out what they are?
For example, if you heard a "C" or a "d flat" is it possible to train your ear to automatically recognize which key it is? If so, how would you go about it?
I have some ideas, but I just need to know if Im on the right track.
Also, are there any online sites or any other programs you can buy that will facilitate this learning?
Thanks so much I will pick best answer!

it's called "perfect pitch".

There is a guy named David Burge who publishes a home study course (the "Perfect Pitch Training Super Course") that claims to teach anyone to acquire perfect pitch over the course of several months or so of daily practice. His course apparently can train you to listen so that you can hear the difference in sound "color" between different pitches, so you would be able to recognize a C as opposed to an F or a B or a G# or whatever.

Basically you have to go through what is called 'ear training'. You play different notes and intervals on the keyboard repetitively until your ear gets trained to recognizing the sound.

Search the net for 'ear training'

Sorry I was wrong about perfect pitch. That's when someone knows the note by ear naturally.

yes there are some great artists that played by ear.

Practice practice practice! I'm sure most people have trained their ears just by practicing. However, I have a theory book (by Alfred I think) and it comes with an ear training CD. When you do the activities frequently and repeatedly then you should be able to get better at recognizing pitch. Good luck!

It's not actually perfect pitch, or you wouldn't have to learn it. It's called relative pitch. You can learn some pitches (essentially, memorizing what these notes sound like), and then find other pitches in relation to the ones that you know.

This is assisted by learning the intervals, and being able to sing back melodies that have been played for you. It takes time, but you'll eventually find familiar places.

Its called playing by ear!...a lot of pros prefer this method...because the musical notes displayed on sheet music... doesnt have the most important bit?...the feel of the song?...

I like Rachel C's answer.
What you are referring to is perfect pitch, but you can only be born with perfect pitch. There is a technique called "relative pitch," which is basically learning perfect pitch. Follow Rachel's recommendations, and when you get to college, enroll in Aural Training.

Yes, you can train to ear to recognize notes. This is called perfect pitch and not many people have this.
I practiced years and finally got it down. You have to set a point of reference , or middle ground like the C or A note. Once you can pick any of these notes, the rest is easy becasue you either go up or down and keeping that specific note in your mind.
You can practice going up in 5ths, or going down in 4th. This isthe best practice.
I used to have a little portable tuner and used to practice with this to get perfect pitch.