W.W. Woods wrote -

<<<Listening to all the birds that were singing, I had a very wonderful
and exciting opportunity to hear the American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak
and Western Tanager all singing in sequence, a perfect moment to verify
the differences in their songs. The Robin is sweet and musical; the
Grosbeak, hoarse with lower pitch and individual phrases; the Tanager, not
nearly as sweet and melodious as the Robin, faster rhythm with rests
between the phrases. I spotted a female Tanager high in the trees, adding
her staccato notes to the chorus.>>>>

I would submit that you had an unusually untalented grosbeak performing
for you. IMHO, compared to a robin, both Black-headed and Rose-breasted
sounds like they have had voice lessons whereas a tanager sounds like
it has a sore throat.


--
Jack Bowling
jbowling at direct.ca