Musical notes are complex
tones consisting of a fundamental frequency,
f,
and higher harmonics (or partials) that are integer multiples of the
fundamental frequency (2f,
3f,
4f,...).
The pitch of a note remains unchanged even if its fundamental frequency as
well as its first partials are removed.
These paradoxical notes seem to keep
rising for ever.
When two pure tones of
very similar frequency are played together they produce beats at a
frequency equal to the difference between the original two frequencies.
Filters can remove certain
frequency bands and leave others unchanged.
When two tones are played together at
sufficient volume the ear hears a fictitious difference frequency.
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