In music, position of a single sound in the complete range of sound; this quality varies with the number of vibrations per second (hertz, Hz) of the sounding body and is perceived as highness or lowness. A higher pitch has a higher number of vibrations. In Western music, standard pitches have long been used to facilitate tuning. A confusing variety of pitches prevailed until the 19th century, when the continual rise in pitch made some international agreement a matter of practical necessity. In 1939 the A above middle C was standardized as 440 Hz. Seealso interval; tuning and temperament.
Learn more about pitch with a free trial on Britannica.com.
In speech, language, hearing, and signal processing:
A measure of distance between like items:
In arts and literature:
Pitch-count studies spark serious debate Some high school coaches like the idea, but wonder who will enforce it; others say the issue is overrated.
May 25, 2006; Kerry Wood once pitched both ends of a doubleheader for Grand Prairie High School in the 1995 Texas state tournament. The...