Lesson test: Notes and pitch

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Notes and pitch

1.[2p]
Why does a note an octave above another sound like the same note again?

The upper note's harmonics are already a subset of the lower note's

Correct

The two notes have the same number of harmonics

The answer is: The upper note's harmonics are already a subset of the lower note's

The ear cannot distinguish frequencies that differ by more than a factor of two

The answer is: The upper note's harmonics are already a subset of the lower note's

Both notes are given the same letter name, so listeners learn to equate them

The answer is: The upper note's harmonics are already a subset of the lower note's

2.[2p]
What is the frequency, in hertz, of the note seven semitones above A4 in equal temperament?

CorrectNot quite: 659.26

3.[1p]
In equal temperament each semitone multiplies the frequency by $2^{1 / 12}$ , which is about 1.0595.

True

Correct

False

The answer is: True

4.[3p]
Match each frequency ratio to the interval it produces.

4: major third
3: perfect fourth
2: perfect fifth
1: octave
5: minor third

Show the answer

2:1: octave 3:2: perfect fifth 4:3: perfect fourth 5:4: major third 6:5: minor third

5.[2p]
The equal-tempered major third is 400 cents and the pure 5:4 third is 386.31 cents. By how many cents is the tempered third sharp?

CorrectNot quite: 13.69

6.[3p]
Why is the octave divided into twelve steps rather than some other number?

Twelve pure fifths land within a quarter of a semitone of seven octaves, so the chain of fifths nearly closes

Correct

Twelve is the number of letters available for note names

The answer is: Twelve pure fifths land within a quarter of a semitone of seven octaves, so the chain of fifths nearly closes

Twelve equal steps make every interval exactly in tune

The answer is: Twelve pure fifths land within a quarter of a semitone of seven octaves, so the chain of fifths nearly closes

The harmonic series has exactly twelve audible partials

The answer is: Twelve pure fifths land within a quarter of a semitone of seven octaves, so the chain of fifths nearly closes

7.[2p]
What is the name of the excess by which twelve pure fifths overshoot seven octaves?

CorrectNot quite: Pythagorean comma

8.[2p]
Two flutes play the same written note, one at 440.0 Hz and the other at 441.5 Hz. How many beats per second are heard?

CorrectNot quite: 1.5

9.[2p]
Put these frequency ratios in order, smallest interval first.

Show the answer

a, b, c, d, e

1.[2p] Why does a note an octave above another sound like the same note again?

2.[2p] What is the frequency, in hertz, of the note seven semitones above A4 in equal temperament?

3.[1p] In equal temperament each semitone multiplies the frequency by 21/12, which is about 1.0595.

4.[3p] Match each frequency ratio to the interval it produces.

5.[2p] The equal-tempered major third is 400 cents and the pure 5:4 third is 386.31 cents. By how many cents is the tempered third sharp?

6.[3p] Why is the octave divided into twelve steps rather than some other number?

7.[2p] What is the name of the excess by which twelve pure fifths overshoot seven octaves?

8.[2p] Two flutes play the same written note, one at 440.0 Hz and the other at 441.5 Hz. How many beats per second are heard?

9.[2p] Put these frequency ratios in order, smallest interval first.

1.[2p]
Why does a note an octave above another sound like the same note again?

2.[2p]
What is the frequency, in hertz, of the note seven semitones above A4 in equal temperament?

3.[1p]
In equal temperament each semitone multiplies the frequency by $2^{1 / 12}$ , which is about 1.0595.

4.[3p]
Match each frequency ratio to the interval it produces.

5.[2p]
The equal-tempered major third is 400 cents and the pure 5:4 third is 386.31 cents. By how many cents is the tempered third sharp?

6.[3p]
Why is the octave divided into twelve steps rather than some other number?

7.[2p]
What is the name of the excess by which twelve pure fifths overshoot seven octaves?

8.[2p]
Two flutes play the same written note, one at 440.0 Hz and the other at 441.5 Hz. How many beats per second are heard?

9.[2p]
Put these frequency ratios in order, smallest interval first.