THE SOUND, NOISE AND SILENCE

The human ear cannot detect all sounds. 

• Regarding pitch, the range of human hearing normally goes from 20 to 20.000 hertz (Hz). Frequencies below the human hearing range are known as infrasounds and those above it are known as ultrasounds. But age and prolonged exposure to loud sounds can significantly lower your ability to hear high frequencies. 

• Regarding intensity, the range of human hearing normally goes from 10 decibels (dB) which is the threshold of hearing to 120 decibels (dB) which is the threshold of pain.

QUALITIES OF SOUND

Every sound has four qualities: intensity, pitch, duration and timbre. 

Intensity: it is the quality of sound that depends on the wave amplitude and allows us to distinguish between loud and soft sounds. We represent intensity in scores by means of dynamic markings.

Pitch: it is the quality of sound that depends on the wave frequency and allows us to distinguish between low and high sounds. We represent different pitches in scores by means of musical notes.

Duration: it is the quality of sound that depends on the wave persistence and allows us to distinguish between long and short sounds. We represent duration in scores by means of note values and rests.

Timbre: it is the quality of sound that allows us to identify the object that produces the sound (different voices and instruments). It depends on the shape of the object, the material from which it is made and the way the sound is made. The result is a complex wave composed of a fundamental frequency and its harmonics.

Noise is usually defined as a disagreeable auditory experience, but this is a subjective definition. The difference between sound and noise is the sort of waves: sound waves are regular and noise waves are irregular.

Noise pollution is produced when the sound volume is too high. It’s a very common problem in our society and can be harmful to our health. Some of the causes of environmental noise are: transportation, industrial and construction activities, etc. Effects of noise on health include: hearing loss, sleep disorders, stress and aggressive behavior.

Silence is the absence of sound or noise. It is an element in music that is as important as sound. Both elements are the basis of musical creation. In music, a rest is the time in which no sound is produced.

Composers use rests to serve different purposes: as a contrast with sounds, as a brief pause between phrases or sections; or as the beginning or end of a musical work. Some composers such as John Cage have used silence as a major element of their pieces. For example, 4’33'' by John Cage. This piece is made up of silence during 4 minutes and 33 seconds.

Now you can make the questions in this link:


https://quizlet.com/_2ir7k4