The Speech Chain by Denes Dr. Peter B.; Pinson Dr. Elliot N.;

Author:Denes, Dr. Peter B.; Pinson, Dr. Elliot N.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hauraki Publishing
Published: 2016-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

PITCH AND FREQUENCY

Just as loudness is the sensation most directly associated with the physical property of sound intensity, so pitch is the subjective quality primarily connected with frequency. Factors other than frequency, however, affect our judgment of pitch, just as factors other than intensity (frequency, for instance) affect judgments of loudness.

For example, the pitch of a tone depends to some extent on the intensity at which it is presented to a listener. This is particularly noticeable at either very high or at very low frequencies. If we strike a low frequency tuning fork (say, about 150 cps), its pitch decreases noticeably as the fork is brought closer to the ear. This effect can be demonstrated another way. If two tones of slightly different frequencies are presented alternately to a listener, he is able to adjust the intensity of one of the tones until the pitch of the two tones appears the same. In other words, by compensating for a difference in frequency with a difference in intensity, he makes the two tones sound of equal pitch.

For sounds with complex waveforms—as opposed to the simple sinusoidal shapes of pure tones—pitch alters only slightly as intensity changes. This is fortunate for musicians. Think how much more involved piano playing would be if one had to strike the note “D” when playing a very loud passage, but the note “C” when playing the same passage at a lower intensity!

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