Understanding the Difference Between Pitch and Note in Music

Music is a rich tapestry of notes and pitches, each playing a crucial role in how we perceive and experience it. While these terms may seem interchangeable, they have distinct meanings within the context of music theory and notation.

Pitch in Music: A Fundamental Aspect

At its core, pitch is a fundamental characteristic of sound. It is the perceived fundamental frequency of a sound, and is determined by the rate of vibration of a sound wave. In simpler terms, pitch is the highness or lowness of a sound. It can be described by various terms such as high, low, sharp, or flat. For instance, a C is a particular pitch, but it doesn't specify which C—whether it is C4 (a middle C), C5 (the next octave up), or C3 (a lower octave).

Note in Music Notation: Written and Playable

A note, on the other hand, has several layers of meaning in music. A note can refer to several aspects:

1. Notation

A written note in music notation is a symbol on a staff, instructing a musician on what pitch to play, for how long, and at what dynamic level. For example, an eighth note (encircled in green) represents a brief sound to be played on a specific pitch for a certain duration. Multiple notes can be tied together with an arc (encircled in blue), signifying that they should be played as a continuous sound.

2. Sound Produced

A note can also refer to the sound that is actually produced by an instrument. For instance, if a musician plays a series of sounds at a constant pitch without written music, these sounds can also be referred to as “notes.” This is especially relevant in improvisational music, where notes are spontaneously created without the benefit of pre-written notation.

3. Pianoroll Notation

Another form of representing notes is through pianoroll notation. Although the symbols might differ from traditional staff notation, they still represent notes that are to be played. Pianoroll notation is a graphical representation of a performance, where each note is a rectangle on a horizontal timeline, indicating the onset, duration, and pitch of the sound.

Note vs. Pitch: Close but Not Identical

While a note often refers to a pitch in music, they are not strictly synonymous. A note in some contexts (like $

C

Technical Representation: MIDI Files and Software

When discussing notes in a digital context, such as in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) files, a note has a more precise technical definition. Each note in a MIDI file is represented with specific parameters, including the start time, duration, and pitch class. Here's an example of how a note is represented in a MIDI-like format:

{
  "start_time": 5.986,
  "duration": 1.589,
  "pitch": "F3",
  "velocity": 100
}

This format provides detailed information about each note, such as the precise moment it starts playing, its duration, its pitch (in this case, F3, one octave below middle C), and how forcefully it is played (velocity scale from 0 to 127).

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between pitch and note is crucial for anyone involved in music, whether as a composer, player, or enthusiast. While pitch describes the fundamental tonal quality of a sound, a note encompasses a broader scope, including its written notation, the sound produced, and its technical representation. Mastery of both concepts will greatly enhance one's ability to appreciate and create music.