Question

What is meant by the ‘pitch’ of a note? Does it depend on the loudness or ‘quality’ of the ‘note’? How is pitch ‘related’ with frequency?

Answer 1

The pitch of a note is determined solely by its frequency. The pitch, in fact, is a subjective sensation in the ear depending only upon the frequency of the musical sound and is quite independent of its loudness or quality. Pitch is thus a subjective phenomenon and cannot be physically measured. However, the relation between pitch and frequency is linear to a very close approximation. Hence the pitch is usually taken to be synonymous with frequency. Generally, notes of high frequency or pitch are shrill and sharp whereas those of low frequency or pitch are flat and dull.