This is actually question my daughter posed and I’m pretty stumped. She asked how, if two people with (let’s say) perfect pitch sing a song, how is it possible that we can still tell who is singing when the notes would be identical?
Note: I know absolutely nothing about music, but figured this was the best place to ask for her.
Edit: Wow, many of these answers are incredible! I had no idea this would receive such in depth and thoughtful feedback. I have learned a huge amount. I was not exaggerating above when I said I know nothing about music (I don’t even know what pitch is – just quoted my daughter on that) and I’m grateful to those of you who took the time to help me learn.
In: Biology
The difference in our voices is created by the differences in the shape and size and tilt of our voice box, the individual shape, strength and movement of the video cords inside that and the physical differences in the shape and size of our airway, tongue, teeth, mouth and nasal cavities. In other words, subtle differences in physical anatomy generate the difference because sound travels directly in different bodies from the vocal cords all the way through the mouth and nose.
(I’m a speech therapist)
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