A note needs a minimum cycle count to be heard as pitched

Evidence

The effect that the duration of a sound has on the perception of the pitch of a note is not a simple one, but it is summarized graphically in Figure 3.14 in terms of the minimum number of cycles required at a given f0 for a definite distinct pitch to be perceived. Shorter sounds may be perceived as being pitched rather than nonpitched, but the accuracy with which listeners can make such a judgment worsens as the duration of the sound drops below that shown in the figure. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 922

Categorization

Category: Factual Claims

Related

• A minimum number of cycles is required before a definite pitch is perceived (similarity 0.92)
• Perceived pitch is set primarily by fundamental frequency. (similarity 0.86)
• Periodicity in the acoustic waveform determines whether a sound is perceived as pitched. (similarity 0.85)
• Pitch of harmonic sounds is determined by the fundamental frequency. (similarity 0.85)
• Unambiguous pitch perception requires a periodically repeating acoustic waveform (similarity 0.85)
• Perceived musical pitch arises from regularly repeating acoustic pressure waves. (similarity 0.84)
• A perceived pitch can exist with no partial at its own frequency. (similarity 0.83)
• Pitch of periodic sounds is determinable from the waveform’s cycle period (similarity 0.83)
• Pitch perception requires a tone lasting at least two signal periods (similarity 0.83)
• Listeners reconstruct a perceived pitch that is not physically present (similarity 0.83)
• Clear pitch perception depends on periodic repetition of the pressure wave (similarity 0.82)
• The fundamental frequency of a pitched sound is measurable from its waveform period (similarity 0.82)
• A short pop can still carry a recognizable resonant pitch (similarity 0.82)
• Pitch is perceptual while frequency is acoustic, and not all sounds have pitch (similarity 0.82)
• Echoed sounds spaced 1-10 ms generate a perceived pitch of 100-1000 Hz (similarity 0.82)

Broader Connections

• The number of harmonics audible halves with each octave rise in pitch #expands (0.80) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 798
• The audible harmonic count of a note depends on hearing’s 16 kHz upper limit #qualifies (0.75) — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 799
• Tone sequences restricted to 100-3200 Hz avoid inaudible pitches in normal hearers #qualifies (0.75) — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 5290
• Pitch of periodic sounds is determinable from the waveform’s cycle period #expands (0.72) — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 909
• The fundamental frequency of a pitched sound is measurable from its waveform period #expands (0.72) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 891
• Musical scales universally favor intervals with small integer frequency ratios #complicates (0.72) — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 1300
• Notes lacking reinforced upper harmonics play wobbly and degraded #expands (0.72) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1558
• Pitches outside a core audible range can be inaudible even in self-reported normal hearing #qualifies (0.72) — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 5298
• Half-period delay of a tone cancels odd partials and raises pitch an octave #expands (0.72) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2137