ABSTRACT
The brain interprets frequency as pitch—the faster the rate of vibration, the higher the perceived pitch. Pitches combine to form structures such as melodies and chords. A musical pitch is often referred to as a note. The pitch continuum is divided into octaves. Accidentals are symbols that raise or lower a pitch in half-step increments without changing the letter name of that pitch. In musical notation, an accidental applied to a note remains in effect unless canceled out by another accidental, or until a measure line is crossed. All pitches with the same letter name sound similar because their frequencies are multiples of one another. All pitches with the same letter name belong to the same general pitch class. Clefs are symbols appearing at the beginning of the staff that assigns specific pitches to the lines and spaces.
