Pitch

Key Stage 2

Meaning

Pitch is how high or low a note sounds.

Singular Noun: Pitch

Plural Noun: Pitches

The sound of a mouse's squeak is very high pitched.

A tuba makes a deep or 'low pitched' sound. About Pitch The pitch of an instrument can be affected by: Size of the instrument Thickness of strings Length of Strings Tightness of Strings Size The size of an instrument can affect the pitch. Bigger instruments make a lower pitch sound. A small 'soprano' saxophone makes a high pitched sound. An 'alto' saxophone makes the second highest pitch. A tenor saxophone makes the second lowest pitch. A large 'bass' saxophone makes a low pitched sound. Thickness of Strings Thicker strings make lower pitched sounds. A regular guitar has thin strings and can make high pitched sounds. A 'bass' guitar has thick strings and makes low pitched sounds. Length of Strings The shorter the strings, the higher pitched a sound. The shorter strings on a harp make a higher pitched sound. Tightness of Strings The tighter the strings the higher pitched the sound. The pegs on the end of a stringed instrument can make the strings tighter or looser.