Reading Assignment [ R-7 ]

Read Chapter 7 of the textbook.

Upload a Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF file to Canvas with answers to the following questions. Put a blank line between each answer in order to make it easier to read. Use your own words. After the definition each term, create an example of using the word in a sentence.

Vocabulary

1. pitch
2. pitch discrimination
3. missing fundamental effect
4. difference tone
5. absolute, or perfect pitch

In addition to defining the above vocabulary, answer the following questions in your own words.

1. What does Backus give for the range of frequencies young people can hear? How is that different from what we have said in class? Why is it hard to come up with an exact number?
2. Why doesn't having presbycusis cause older musicians a lot of problems?
3. Use Audacity to synthesize a tone combining sine waves at 200, 300, and 400 Hz from time 0 seconds up to time 5 second. Can you hear the missing fundamental at 100 Hz that he talks about?
4. Synthesize two sine waves on two tracks, one with a frequency of 500 Hz, and the other at 502 Hz? What is the difference in the sound when you play either one alone compared with when you play them together? What is the beat frequency? Create a third track by mixing the two sine waves together, and zoom in so that you can see a few cycles of the waveform. Take a screenshot and insert it here into your Word file with your answers. How is the amplitude envelope changing over time?
5. Synthesize a difference tone by creating two tracks with sine waves in Audacity, one at 400 Hz and the other at 500 Hz. Solo the 400 Hz track and listen to it by itself. Then solo the 500 Hz track and hear how that sound by itself. Then unsolo both tracks so you can listen to the combination. Look at the spectra? How many components do you see? do you hear more than two?
6. Synthesize two spectra with at least 5 sine wave components, one harmonic, and the other inharmonic. Insert screenshots of each one here, label them "harmonic" and "inharmonic", and list the frequencies you chose and their amplitudes. Describe the difference between the two sounds.
7. Do you wish you had perfect pitch and were always aware of things being in or out of tune? What would the advantages be? In what sort of situations might it be uncomfortable?