28a. pitch & music (ch 12) Flashcards
Octave def? How many notes? Ex?
- A sequence of notes in which the fundamental frq of the last note is DOUBLE the fundamental frq of the first note
- 13 notes!
–> 12 natural
–> 5 sharps/flats - A4 = 220 Hz
- A5 = 440 Hz
Semitones def?
The 12 proportionally equivalent intervals between the notes in an octave
What does it mean that semitones are perceptually equivalent?
- difference in PITCH between successive notes is perceived as constant
- actual difference in fund. FRQ is increasing as notes increase in frequency
What is the relation between notes separated by octaves? (ex. C3, C4, C5…?)
- they are all integer multiples of the SAME fundamental frequency
- each octave is an increase of DOUBLE
(C3 x2 = C4)
Tone chroma def? AKA? How is it shown on the helix?
- refers to the differences in pitch within an octave
- AKA “pitch class”
- represented by the letters (A-G) and by the color of the helix
Tone height def? How is it shown on the helix?
- refers to the octave in which a tone appears
- represented by the numbers (higher numbers = higher frq) and vertical height of the helix
Octave generalization? LIMITATION?
- we can recognize tunes/melodies when they’re played in ANY different octaves
- LIMIT:
- the octaves of the notes in the melody must be consistent
- can’t recognize songs if the notes are played in several different, mixed octaves
Transpositions def?
- 2 versions of the same melody, containing the same intervals but starting at diff. notes
Harmonicity def?
The extent to which the harmonics of notes played in combination (simultaneously or sequentially) coincide with the harmonics of a note with a lower fundamental frequency
Harmonicity: class examples of consonance vs dissonance?
- C & G are consonant –> they have harmonics that coincide with the harmonics of a lower note “Q”
- (C & G’s harmonics sometimes overlap)
- C & D flat are dissonant –> their harmonics never overlap
- there is no lower note that coincides with both C & D flat
Which side of the brain is more active for processing changes in pitch? For processing timing of sounds? conclusion?*
- RIGHT = pitch
- LEFT = timing
- indirect evidence that there may be specialized regions of the brain for music and speech processing
Which side of the brain is more specialized for speech? for music? **
- RIGHT = speech
- LEFT = music
What is the tritone paradox? Best explanation for why?
- change in pitch that is 1/2 an octave
- ex. C –> F#
- some people perceive that change as ascending, and some perceive it as descending
- it’s actually arbitrary
–> component frqs are split evenly higher/lower than the original C - best explanation: linked to the type of speech you heard as a child
Circularity in perceived pitch meaning?
- you can create sounds / sound patterns that seem like they’re increasing in pitch, but really aren’t
Periodicity pitch AKA virtual pitch def? How?
- the constancy of a complex tone’s pitch when the fundamental frequency (and/or other lower harmonics) are eliminated
- the diff. between each harmonic IS the fund. frq, so we assume that’s the original
- *has to be exact multiples, not just the right intervals