A simple experiment to demonstrate human brain perception music octaves

Using 2 tunable electronic organs. For example Casio MT-100.


The violin sound is used in both with no vibrato.


One instument is tuned higher (using the master tuning knob at the back of the instrument) so that its high D sounds a satisfactory multiple octave to the other instrument's lower D.


Then a simple melody is played using the same notes on both instruments but using the lowers notes from the first instrument together with the higher notes from the other instrument.


The experiment is then swaping instruments to see which combination is best sounding. Ie which instrument is to prefered for the low notes and which for the highs.


It sounds horrible if the high notes are played by the lower tuned instrument.


It sounds brilliant if the Hugh notes are played by the higher than 440Hz tuned instrument.


Brilliant here means in the league, of Mile Oldfield, Vangelis, Pink Floyd Dave Guilmour high bent notes tuned by ear brain, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields high notes etc.


See also the next euroelectron post for more examples.