Fundamental aspects in the perception of f0

The mechanisms and cognitive processes that lead to the physiological sensation of pitch in acoustic signals are complex. On the one hand, the basic mechanisms and processes involved in the perception of pitch in a speech signal work on the same principles that apply to any other acoustic signal. On the other hand, pitch perception in speech is still a special case for two reasons. First, speech signals show variation and dynamic changes in many more time and frequency parameters than many other acoustic signals, in particular those that are used as psycho-acoustic test stimuli. Second, speech signals convey meaning and as such give the listener’s brain more ‘top-down’ interpretation and prediction possibilities than other signals. Therefore, focusing on fundamental points, this chapter will address both the general principles in the creation of pitch and the more specific aspects of this creation in speech. The basic mechanisms and processes are dealt with in §3.2, embedded in their historical development. Next, §3.3 addresses speech-specific aspects of pitch perception, from the detection of changes in f0 to the influences of segments and prosodies. Finally, §3.4 concludes that special care needs to be taken by speech scientists when analysing visually represented f0 contours in terms of perceived pitch contours.