Äänenkorkeudet

Äänenkorkeudet, known in English as pitches, refer to the perceived highness or lowness of a sound. This perception is primarily determined by the frequency of the sound wave, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, while lower frequencies correspond to lower pitches. The human ear can typically perceive a range of pitches from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, although this range can vary between individuals and tends to decrease with age.

In music, pitches are fundamental to melody and harmony. They are often represented by musical notes, each associated with a specific frequency. The relationship between these frequencies is often expressed as intervals, such as octaves, fifths, and thirds, which form the basis of musical scales and chords. The systematic organization of pitches in music is known as tuning. Different tuning systems, like equal temperament and just intonation, exist, each with its own set of precise frequency relationships.

Beyond music, the concept of pitch is relevant in speech and communication. Variations in vocal pitch can convey emotion, emphasis, and grammatical information. For example, a rising pitch at the end of a sentence often indicates a question. In acoustics and audio engineering, controlling and manipulating sound pitches is crucial for various applications, from sound design to speech synthesis. The study of how humans perceive and process sound, including pitch, is a significant area within psychoacoustics.