Pitch processing of nonharmonic tones: A search for an auditory mechanism that recognizes spectral patterns
Elizabeth A. Cohen · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1980
Experiments on tone fusion [E. A. Cohen, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 65, S123 (1979); 66, 530 (1980); K. T. Marcus, M. V. Mathews, and J. R. Pierce, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66, 542 (1980)] suggested that tonal unity (fused pitch) is assured if the necessary and sufficient condition of a systematic overtone structure is met. The series fn′ = KAlog2nf1 was employed to insure the availability of structured harmonic and unharmonic partials. The 2nd partial of this series was deleted and a subject allowed to insert it by means of a tunable oscillator. If we are capable of recognizing nonharmonic systems then subjects should place the missing partial in the position called for by the mathematical order of the partials. Limited evidence for this ability was revealed (within ±5% of harmonic position). The results also show limited evidence for a subjective stretch of the octave when the 2nd partial is determined. It was observed that subjects (all trained musicians) experienced a remarkable, degree of difficulty even for placement of the truly harmonic partials.