Perceived pitch depends on a note’s individual overtone amplitudes

Evidence

Equation 23.1 shows unambiguously that it is necessary to specify the amplitudes an of the individual partial to determine the perceived pitch. Different instruments have distinct overtone structure, so if all frequencies are lowered, for example, by 50 Hz, a flute and violin will shift somewhat differently in pitch! — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2418

Categorization

• DEFINE: States the key principle that perceived pitch is not determined by frequency alone but by each instrument’s partial amplitudes.
• QUESTION: Chasing the exact formula behind this amplitude-dependence of perceived pitch could be worth exploring.