Perceptual components of pitch: spatial representation using a multidimensional scaling technique

Paired comparison experiments were carried out on the pitch of 18 computer-generated complex tones synthesized by slight modification of the frequency structure of Shepard's endless scale sounds. The results were analyzed by a multidimensional scaling technique, and simple helixes were obtained in which two components of pitch (tone height and tone chroma) were represented. Some individual differences in perception of pitch were observed according to the weight that the subject gives to each component.