If you sound out two different vowels at the same pitch, how are we able to hear the vowels?

Question

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

Answer 1

The only thing that makes a “true pitch” sound is a tuning fork. Human vocal cords can’t do it. So, the sounds humans make have many complex harmonics, and even if the primary frequency is the same the harmonics are totally different.