Welcome to the Virtual Pitch tests. These tests were designed to test theories about the origin of the strike note in bells. The chapter of the thesis reporting on these tests is now complete, but I have left the tests here for the time being.
| The number of tests completed as of 29/11/07 for each frequency is shown on the right. 1,856 individual tests were completed so far by 30 different people and the results are very illuminating. Many thanks to all those who have responded so enthusiastically. Unfortunately I won't be incorporating any further results in the thesis. The original introduction to the tests said: There are a number of different tests. Each test is simple to do and should take no more than 15 minutes - they are better done quickly, initial impressions matter. You can do as few or as many of the tests as you like, and try them as often as you like. Unfortunately you can't break off and resume a test, but you can take one again if you didn't complete it the first time |  |
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Taking the tests involves listening to test tones and comparing them to see which sounds higher and which lower. The tests are designed to work in any standard web browser (both PC and Macintosh) but do require that your computer has sound output. You can use headphones or computer speakers as you prefer - you will be asked what equipment you used at the end of each test. For advice on how to check that your computer is set up correctly to run the tests, click here. I do ask for your name and email address, so that if your results are particularly interesting I can contact you for follow up. Your email address will only be used to contact you about the results of these tests. | |||||||||||||||||||
In each test you are asked to choose tones which have the same pitch or note. In each test there is a test sound and sixteen reference sounds. The reference sounds are the same for each test, and are arranged in order from flattest (A) to sharpest (P). The test sounds are displayed in random sequence - if you repeat a test, they will appear in a different order. There are no right and wrong answers to the tests. People's ears respond differently, and these tests are designed to investigate that.
For each test, listen to the test sound and the reference sounds, decide which reference sound is the nearest in note or pitch to the test sound, and select it with the radio button to the right of the sound. The first time you play each sound, it might take a moment to download. After that, it should play instantly. If you have problems playing the sounds on your computer, see here. You can listen to each sound as many times as and in whatever order you like. Once you have chosen the reference sound you believe best matches the test sound, it helps to repeatedly listen to the reference sounds either side of the one you have chosen against the test sound to make sure that one sounds lower in pitch, and the other higher, than the test sound. When you are happy with your selection for each of the tests, answer the questions at the bottom of the page and click the 'Send results' button. Depending on the test setup, your test results will be displayed on the screen for printing, saved to disk or emailed to me automatically.
These instructions are repeated at the start of each test page for your convenience. If you have any comments or questions on these tests, send me an email.
Page last updated on 19th November 2007. Page created by Bill Hibbert, Great Bookham, Surrey.