4 ms·

Key _changes_ are audible, but you can't tell a key on its own in equal temperament (except if you have perfect pitch)

enriquto 4y ago
There are some differences, though. For example, the resonance of the open G strings on the violins is sometimes audible, and this may make different keys sound different.
- bloak 4y ago
  I suppose techniques like vibrato (which you can't do on an open string) and harmonics (which you can normally only do on an open string) make a clear distinction and give a composer an incentive to use a particular key (or give a player an incentive to use a non-standard tuning).
- jefftk 4y ago
  If you tune the violin down to a historical A=415, the open G string will still sound resonant even though in concert pitch it's now Gb.
- colanderman 4y ago
  Body resonance also -- which provides most of the color of an instrument's sound. For example, middle C on an electric bass guitar (which sounds at 130.8 Hz) often sounds "honky" or "thunky" -- this is due to a null in the body resonance. (Not all bass guitars exhibit this.)
troupe 4y ago
While most people can't give a name to the key they are hearing, I'm not sure that proves they can hear no difference. A painter may look at a landscape and identify all the individual colors they are seeing where a common person may mostly ignore or tune out much of what they see, but it doesn't mean they aren't experiencing it in some lesser way even if they can't fully articulate it like a painter can
- adriand 4y ago
  Yes, of course. The claim that all keys sound the same is neither objectively nor subjectively true. Objectively, the root notes are at different frequencies, and the other notes similarly feature a unique combination of frequencies. Subjectively, I - and I presume many others - get a particular feel even from individual notes, and when I compose something I often start by picking a root note that suits what I want, and then choose the key based on that. Otherwise why have keys in the first place? I’ve had conversations with other musicians about what particular key we’re into lately, for instance, for a long time I’ve really enjoyed Bb minor.

There are some differences, though. For example, the resonance of the open G strings on the violins is sometimes audible, and this may make different keys sound different.

bloak 4y ago
I suppose techniques like vibrato (which you can't do on an open string) and harmonics (which you can normally only do on an open string) make a clear distinction and give a composer an incentive to use a particular key (or give a player an incentive to use a non-standard tuning).
jefftk 4y ago
If you tune the violin down to a historical A=415, the open G string will still sound resonant even though in concert pitch it's now Gb.
colanderman 4y ago
Body resonance also -- which provides most of the color of an instrument's sound. For example, middle C on an electric bass guitar (which sounds at 130.8 Hz) often sounds "honky" or "thunky" -- this is due to a null in the body resonance. (Not all bass guitars exhibit this.)

troupe 4y ago

While most people can't give a name to the key they are hearing, I'm not sure that proves they can hear no difference. A painter may look at a landscape and identify all the individual colors they are seeing where a common person may mostly ignore or tune out much of what they see, but it doesn't mean they aren't experiencing it in some lesser way even if they can't fully articulate it like a painter can

adriand 4y ago
Yes, of course. The claim that all keys sound the same is neither objectively nor subjectively true. Objectively, the root notes are at different frequencies, and the other notes similarly feature a unique combination of frequencies. Subjectively, I - and I presume many others - get a particular feel even from individual notes, and when I compose something I often start by picking a root note that suits what I want, and then choose the key based on that. Otherwise why have keys in the first place? I’ve had conversations with other musicians about what particular key we’re into lately, for instance, for a long time I’ve really enjoyed Bb minor.