Okay, scenario:

• Two flutes
  • One tuned to an A at 440Hz
  • One tuned to an A at 335Hz
• Both flautists play a C

Question:

Are they both playing a C?

Pretty much. They're both playing the same note in the sense that they're both undertaking exactly the same actions with their hands and mouths, to play a C.

Are they playing the same note?

The audible frequency coming from each flute will be different, you'll be able to hear the difference. If they both play at the same time, you'll hear the note 'wobbling' at a frequency which is half-way between the two pitches. This is known as a beat frequency. If they were apart by 2 hz, you'd hear the sound wobbling 2 times a second. This is particularly noticeable when there's only two 'voices' playing the same note (but not in tune with each other), and when it's a particularly pure tone, such as a flute. When there are 3 or more voices, it tends to get lost and just sound a little bit thicker.

Is a C played an octave higher still a C?

Yes, each time you double the frequency it's heard as the same note, at a higher pitch.

Take the 440Hz for A, for example. 220Hz is an octave lower, still an A. 880Hz is an octave higher, still an A.

Okay, scenario:

• Two flutes
  • One tuned to an A at 440Hz
  • One tuned to an A at 435Hz
• Both flautists play a C

Question:

Are they both playing a C?

Pretty much. They're both playing the same note in the sense that they're both undertaking exactly the same actions with their hands and mouths, to play a C.

Are they playing the same note?

The audible frequency coming from each flute will be different, you'll be able to hear the difference. If they both play at the same time, you'll hear the note 'wobbling' at a frequency which is the difference between the two pitches. This is known as a beat frequency. If they were apart by 2 hz, you'd hear the sound wobbling 2 times a second. This is particularly noticeable when there's only two 'voices' playing the same note (but not in tune with each other), and when it's a particularly pure tone, such as a flute. When there are 3 or more voices, it tends to get lost and just sound a little bit thicker.

Is a C played an octave higher still a C?

Yes, each time you double the frequency it's heard as the same note, at a higher pitch.

Take the 440Hz for A, for example. 220Hz is an octave lower, still an A. 880Hz is an octave higher, still an A.

Okay, scenario:

• Two flutes
  • One tuned to an A at 440Hz
  • One tuned to an A at 335Hz
• Both flautists play a C

Question:

Are they both playing a C?

Pretty much. They're both playing the same note in the sense that they're both undertaking exactly the same actions with their hands and mouths, to play a C.

Are they playing the same note?

The audible frequency coming from each flute will be different, you'll be able to hear the difference. If they both play at the same time, you'll hear the note 'wobbling' at a frequency which is half-way between the two pitches. This is known as a beat frequency. If they were apart by 2 hz, you'd hear the sound wobbling 2 times a second. This is particularly noticeable when there's only two 'voices' playing the same note (but not in tune with each other), and when it's a particularly pure tone, such as a flute. When there are 3 or more voices, it tends to get lost and just sound a little bit thicker.

Is a C played an octave higher still a C?

Yes, each time you double the frequency it's heard as the same note, at a higher pitch.

Take the 440Hz for A, for example. 220Hz is an octave lower, still an A. 880Hz is an octave higher, still an A.

Okay, scenario:

• Two flutes
  • One tuned to an A at 440Hz
  • One tuned to an A at 335Hz
• Both flautists play a C

Question:

Are they both playing a C?

Pretty much. They're both playing the same note in the sense that they're both undertaking exactly the same actions with their hands and mouths, to play a C.

Are they playing the same note?

The audible frequency coming from each flute will be different, you'll be able to hear the difference. If they both play at the same time, you'll hear the note 'wobbling' at a frequency which is half-way between the two pitches. This is known as a beat frequency. If they were apart by 2 hz, you'd hear the sound wobbling 2 times a second. This is particularly noticeable when there's only two 'voices' playing the same note (but not in tune with each other), and when it's a particularly pure tone, such as a flute. When there are 3 or more voices, it tends to get lost and just sound a little bit thicker.

Is a C played an octave higher still a C?

Yes, each time you double the frequency it's heard as the same note, at a higher pitch.

Take the 440Hz for A, for example. 220Hz is an octave lower, still an A. 880Hz is an octave higher, still an A.