How many octaves exist?












1














How many octaves exist the the human range of hearing?
Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?



What is the maximum distinct notes that can be played in a chord?










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    1














    How many octaves exist the the human range of hearing?
    Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?



    What is the maximum distinct notes that can be played in a chord?










    share|improve this question



























      1












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      1


      1





      How many octaves exist the the human range of hearing?
      Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?



      What is the maximum distinct notes that can be played in a chord?










      share|improve this question















      How many octaves exist the the human range of hearing?
      Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?



      What is the maximum distinct notes that can be played in a chord?







      harmony octave






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      edited Dec 25 at 2:57

























      asked Dec 24 at 20:20









      Muze

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          Yes, all octaves will harmonize since the wave forms are all complimentary. Human range o pitch perception is 20hz to 20,000hz, which gives about 10 octaves. Below 20hz you’re more likely to just hear them as rhythms. If you include those frequencies you can get about 4 more for a total of 14 octaves.






          share|improve this answer





















          • So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
            – Muze
            Dec 24 at 20:39






          • 3




            I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
            – jjmusicnotes
            Dec 24 at 20:41










          • Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
            – Tim
            Dec 25 at 10:15










          • @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
            – jjmusicnotes
            Dec 25 at 18:37



















          4














          "How many octaves are there in the human range of hearing?"



          From http://www.penguinproducer.com/Blog/2011/09/did-you-know-octave-frequency-facts/:




          The human ear can hear a maximum of 10 octaves: 20-40Hz, 40-80 Hz,
          80-160 Hz, 160-320 Hz, 320-640 Hz, 640 Hz to 1.28 KHz, 1.28-2.56 KHz,
          2.56-5.12 KHz, 5.12-10.24 KHz, and 10.24 KHz up to the upper edge of the human ability to hear. The next octave would start at 20.48 KHz,
          which is barely above the high threshold of human hearing.




          "Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?"



          To an extent, but you have to be careful. The ear doesn't respond in the same way through the whole range, and typically, neither do instruments. For example, the notes at the bottom of the piano can sound very muddy when playing chords, due to note inharmonicity and the weak fundamentals of the instrument.






          share|improve this answer





























            0














            Given that, basically, a pitch will sound an octave higher when its frequency is doubled, and so on, each C note for instance, will sound like any other C note in a different octave, and won't clash. 'Harmonise' may not be an apposite word.



            The range of human voices is approximately 80Hz-255Hz with speech, and up to >2kHz singing, bearing in mind sibilants, harmonics etc. Human hearing, as already noted, is approx. 20Hz - 20kHz, but that varies between individuals. Youngsters range goes a fair bit higher.



            The four questions posed here are different. 1 (header). As many as you want. 2. Approx 10 octaves. 3.Basically, yes. 4. There is no definitive answer.






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              3 Answers
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              3 Answers
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              Yes, all octaves will harmonize since the wave forms are all complimentary. Human range o pitch perception is 20hz to 20,000hz, which gives about 10 octaves. Below 20hz you’re more likely to just hear them as rhythms. If you include those frequencies you can get about 4 more for a total of 14 octaves.






              share|improve this answer





















              • So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
                – Muze
                Dec 24 at 20:39






              • 3




                I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 24 at 20:41










              • Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
                – Tim
                Dec 25 at 10:15










              • @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 25 at 18:37
















              4














              Yes, all octaves will harmonize since the wave forms are all complimentary. Human range o pitch perception is 20hz to 20,000hz, which gives about 10 octaves. Below 20hz you’re more likely to just hear them as rhythms. If you include those frequencies you can get about 4 more for a total of 14 octaves.






              share|improve this answer





















              • So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
                – Muze
                Dec 24 at 20:39






              • 3




                I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 24 at 20:41










              • Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
                – Tim
                Dec 25 at 10:15










              • @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 25 at 18:37














              4












              4








              4






              Yes, all octaves will harmonize since the wave forms are all complimentary. Human range o pitch perception is 20hz to 20,000hz, which gives about 10 octaves. Below 20hz you’re more likely to just hear them as rhythms. If you include those frequencies you can get about 4 more for a total of 14 octaves.






              share|improve this answer












              Yes, all octaves will harmonize since the wave forms are all complimentary. Human range o pitch perception is 20hz to 20,000hz, which gives about 10 octaves. Below 20hz you’re more likely to just hear them as rhythms. If you include those frequencies you can get about 4 more for a total of 14 octaves.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Dec 24 at 20:36









              jjmusicnotes

              20.8k12892




              20.8k12892












              • So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
                – Muze
                Dec 24 at 20:39






              • 3




                I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 24 at 20:41










              • Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
                – Tim
                Dec 25 at 10:15










              • @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 25 at 18:37


















              • So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
                – Muze
                Dec 24 at 20:39






              • 3




                I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 24 at 20:41










              • Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
                – Tim
                Dec 25 at 10:15










              • @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
                – jjmusicnotes
                Dec 25 at 18:37
















              So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
              – Muze
              Dec 24 at 20:39




              So with a chord containing 7 notes times 14 octaves a total of 98 notes can harmonize?
              – Muze
              Dec 24 at 20:39




              3




              3




              I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
              – jjmusicnotes
              Dec 24 at 20:41




              I think you need to revisit your understanding of “harmonize”. Also, if your chord has 7 notes and you want to spread it that far, you might as well use a cluster.
              – jjmusicnotes
              Dec 24 at 20:41












              Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
              – Tim
              Dec 25 at 10:15




              Isn't that the reason a lot of speakers/headphones quote 20Hz-20kHz? Not a lot of point going further, from a listening point of view.
              – Tim
              Dec 25 at 10:15












              @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
              – jjmusicnotes
              Dec 25 at 18:37




              @Tim - human ears are only so sensitive. Too slow and we perceive it as rhythm. Too fast and we’re not sensitive enough to pick it up. Yes, some speakers boast going to 35k. Obviously we can’t hear this high, but by doing that it can help make frequency response more even across the upper spectrum of frequencies.
              – jjmusicnotes
              Dec 25 at 18:37











              4














              "How many octaves are there in the human range of hearing?"



              From http://www.penguinproducer.com/Blog/2011/09/did-you-know-octave-frequency-facts/:




              The human ear can hear a maximum of 10 octaves: 20-40Hz, 40-80 Hz,
              80-160 Hz, 160-320 Hz, 320-640 Hz, 640 Hz to 1.28 KHz, 1.28-2.56 KHz,
              2.56-5.12 KHz, 5.12-10.24 KHz, and 10.24 KHz up to the upper edge of the human ability to hear. The next octave would start at 20.48 KHz,
              which is barely above the high threshold of human hearing.




              "Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?"



              To an extent, but you have to be careful. The ear doesn't respond in the same way through the whole range, and typically, neither do instruments. For example, the notes at the bottom of the piano can sound very muddy when playing chords, due to note inharmonicity and the weak fundamentals of the instrument.






              share|improve this answer


























                4














                "How many octaves are there in the human range of hearing?"



                From http://www.penguinproducer.com/Blog/2011/09/did-you-know-octave-frequency-facts/:




                The human ear can hear a maximum of 10 octaves: 20-40Hz, 40-80 Hz,
                80-160 Hz, 160-320 Hz, 320-640 Hz, 640 Hz to 1.28 KHz, 1.28-2.56 KHz,
                2.56-5.12 KHz, 5.12-10.24 KHz, and 10.24 KHz up to the upper edge of the human ability to hear. The next octave would start at 20.48 KHz,
                which is barely above the high threshold of human hearing.




                "Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?"



                To an extent, but you have to be careful. The ear doesn't respond in the same way through the whole range, and typically, neither do instruments. For example, the notes at the bottom of the piano can sound very muddy when playing chords, due to note inharmonicity and the weak fundamentals of the instrument.






                share|improve this answer
























                  4












                  4








                  4






                  "How many octaves are there in the human range of hearing?"



                  From http://www.penguinproducer.com/Blog/2011/09/did-you-know-octave-frequency-facts/:




                  The human ear can hear a maximum of 10 octaves: 20-40Hz, 40-80 Hz,
                  80-160 Hz, 160-320 Hz, 320-640 Hz, 640 Hz to 1.28 KHz, 1.28-2.56 KHz,
                  2.56-5.12 KHz, 5.12-10.24 KHz, and 10.24 KHz up to the upper edge of the human ability to hear. The next octave would start at 20.48 KHz,
                  which is barely above the high threshold of human hearing.




                  "Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?"



                  To an extent, but you have to be careful. The ear doesn't respond in the same way through the whole range, and typically, neither do instruments. For example, the notes at the bottom of the piano can sound very muddy when playing chords, due to note inharmonicity and the weak fundamentals of the instrument.






                  share|improve this answer












                  "How many octaves are there in the human range of hearing?"



                  From http://www.penguinproducer.com/Blog/2011/09/did-you-know-octave-frequency-facts/:




                  The human ear can hear a maximum of 10 octaves: 20-40Hz, 40-80 Hz,
                  80-160 Hz, 160-320 Hz, 320-640 Hz, 640 Hz to 1.28 KHz, 1.28-2.56 KHz,
                  2.56-5.12 KHz, 5.12-10.24 KHz, and 10.24 KHz up to the upper edge of the human ability to hear. The next octave would start at 20.48 KHz,
                  which is barely above the high threshold of human hearing.




                  "Will the same note through all the octaves harmonize?"



                  To an extent, but you have to be careful. The ear doesn't respond in the same way through the whole range, and typically, neither do instruments. For example, the notes at the bottom of the piano can sound very muddy when playing chords, due to note inharmonicity and the weak fundamentals of the instrument.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 24 at 20:47









                  topo morto

                  23.1k24099




                  23.1k24099























                      0














                      Given that, basically, a pitch will sound an octave higher when its frequency is doubled, and so on, each C note for instance, will sound like any other C note in a different octave, and won't clash. 'Harmonise' may not be an apposite word.



                      The range of human voices is approximately 80Hz-255Hz with speech, and up to >2kHz singing, bearing in mind sibilants, harmonics etc. Human hearing, as already noted, is approx. 20Hz - 20kHz, but that varies between individuals. Youngsters range goes a fair bit higher.



                      The four questions posed here are different. 1 (header). As many as you want. 2. Approx 10 octaves. 3.Basically, yes. 4. There is no definitive answer.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        0














                        Given that, basically, a pitch will sound an octave higher when its frequency is doubled, and so on, each C note for instance, will sound like any other C note in a different octave, and won't clash. 'Harmonise' may not be an apposite word.



                        The range of human voices is approximately 80Hz-255Hz with speech, and up to >2kHz singing, bearing in mind sibilants, harmonics etc. Human hearing, as already noted, is approx. 20Hz - 20kHz, but that varies between individuals. Youngsters range goes a fair bit higher.



                        The four questions posed here are different. 1 (header). As many as you want. 2. Approx 10 octaves. 3.Basically, yes. 4. There is no definitive answer.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          0












                          0








                          0






                          Given that, basically, a pitch will sound an octave higher when its frequency is doubled, and so on, each C note for instance, will sound like any other C note in a different octave, and won't clash. 'Harmonise' may not be an apposite word.



                          The range of human voices is approximately 80Hz-255Hz with speech, and up to >2kHz singing, bearing in mind sibilants, harmonics etc. Human hearing, as already noted, is approx. 20Hz - 20kHz, but that varies between individuals. Youngsters range goes a fair bit higher.



                          The four questions posed here are different. 1 (header). As many as you want. 2. Approx 10 octaves. 3.Basically, yes. 4. There is no definitive answer.






                          share|improve this answer












                          Given that, basically, a pitch will sound an octave higher when its frequency is doubled, and so on, each C note for instance, will sound like any other C note in a different octave, and won't clash. 'Harmonise' may not be an apposite word.



                          The range of human voices is approximately 80Hz-255Hz with speech, and up to >2kHz singing, bearing in mind sibilants, harmonics etc. Human hearing, as already noted, is approx. 20Hz - 20kHz, but that varies between individuals. Youngsters range goes a fair bit higher.



                          The four questions posed here are different. 1 (header). As many as you want. 2. Approx 10 octaves. 3.Basically, yes. 4. There is no definitive answer.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Dec 25 at 10:48









                          Tim

                          95.9k1098244




                          95.9k1098244






























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