What is involved in a sound besides its pitch that allows us to hear the “shape” of the vowel? Or is it actually a combination of pitches, and a true pitch (like from a tuner) will always sound the same?
In: Biology
> What is involved in a sound besides its pitch that allows us to hear the “shape” of the vowel?
Overtones are involved. We perceive the pitch of a sound based on the fundamental frequency. We perceive the timbre or color of a sound based on the relative strength of the overtones. Our ear distinguishes vowels based on the different overtones.
> Or is it actually a combination of pitches, and a true pitch (like from a tuner) will always sound the same?
Well, technically, it sort of is a “combination of pitches”. Any sound that has overtones can be recreated by playing the combination of pure tones together. So, in some sense, the different vowels are a different “combination of pitches” of different intensities.
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