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
All good answers.
For a five year old I’d say that a saxophone and a flute can play the same note, but they have unique shapes to their bodies causing a difference in sound. Humans also have different shapes to their bodies causing them to sound different when singing the same note.
Edit for a more complete answer to address harmonics and overtones:
Imagine having a palette of only red paints. They are all the same color (or note) but are different shades (or spectrums) of the red paint note. You can mix the lighter red shade with the darker red shade and you’ll still get a red. The color of red that a person can sing is based on their unique blending of red shades. They sing these shades based on how their body is built.
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