Even noise without periodic waveforms can carry a weak sense of pitch.

Evidence

There are sounds that have nonharmonic spectra for which a pitch is perceived; these are exceptions to the second part of the general statement given earlier that “sounds whose acoustic pressure waveform is nonperiodic are perceived as having no pitch.” For example, listen to examples of the “ss” in sea and the “sh” in shell (produce these yourself or ask someone else to) in terms of which one has the higher pitch. Most listeners will readily respond that “ss” has a higher pitch than “sh.” The spectrum of both sounds is continuous, and an example for each is shown in Figure 3.9. Notice that the energy is biased more toward lower frequencies for the “sh” with a peak around 2.5 kHz, compared with the “ss,” where the energy has a peak at about 5 kHz. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 885

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s larger investigation of silence and listening — the perceptual gap between measurable waveform periodicity and felt pitch runs through psychoacoustics as a theme. — connects to: A weak musical pitch can exist without peripheral phase locking.; Even nonperiodic noise sounds convey a weak pitch sensation based on spectral energy distribution; Steep low-pass noise slopes yield pitch strength far below that of a pure tone — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 831 (+4 more)
• CANDY: The ss-versus-sh pitch distinction is an easy demo anyone can try on themselves in conversation.

Broader Connections

• Even nonperiodic noise sounds convey a weak pitch sensation based on spectral energy distribution #corroborates (0.95)
• Noise-based sounds like ss and sh can carry pitch despite nonperiodic waveforms. #exemplifies (0.95)
• Noise-based pitch perception arises from spectral energy center of gravity but is weak. #exemplifies (0.90) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 886
• Steep low-pass noise slopes yield pitch strength far below that of a pure tone #qualifies (0.80) — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 831
• Even very steep low-pass noise slopes produce pitch far weaker than a pure tone. #qualifies (0.80)
• A weak musical pitch can exist without peripheral phase locking. #corroborates (0.78)
• Weak musical pitch perception can persist without peripheral phase locking. #corroborates (0.78) — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 5420