Frequency/Pitch and Amplitude/Loudness

Question 1

Frequency is

Answer 1

• The rate of vibration of an object
• Measured in cycles per second (Hertz - Hz)

Question 2

Pitch is

Answer 2

• The perception of sound’s frequency
• Vibration rate related to vocal fold thickness (mass), length, and elasticity (tension)

Question 3

What causes a higher pitch?

Answer 3

• The faster the vibration (the higher the frequency), the higher the sounds will be perceived
• Contraction of cricothyroid muscles

Question 4

What does contraction of the cricothyroid muscles do?

Answer 4

• Lengthens the vocal folds and thins the medial edge, causing a higher pitch

Question 5

What causes a lower pitch?

Answer 5

• The slower the vibration (the lower the frequency), the lower the sound will be perceived
• Contraction of the Thyromuscularis

Question 6

What does contraction of the Thyromuscularis muscles do?

Answer 6

• Brings the thyroid cartilage and arytenoids closer together
• Shortens vocal fold length, making them more massive and less tense

Question 7

Amplitude is

Answer 7

• The amount of displacement of an object from its rest position
• Measured in decibels (dB)

Question 8

Loudness is

Answer 8

• The perception of a sound’s amplitude

Question 9

To increase loudness

Answer 9

• Increase amplitude (The greater the amplitude, the louder is the sound that is heard and vice versa)
• Increase medial compression of vocal folds

Question 10

What does increasing the medial compression of the vocal folds do?

Answer 10

• Makes a sound louder
  
  • Vocal folds press together more tightly
  • Vocal folds press together for a longer period of time

Question 11

Frequency is related to _______________, and Amplitude is related to _______________.

Answer 11

• Frequency is related to Pitch, and Amplitude is related to Loudness.