SHEPARD SCALE Meaning and
Definition
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The Shepard scale is a perceptual phenomenon and audio illusion in which a tone appears to be continuously ascending or descending in pitch, although in reality, it is repeating a single tone pattern. It was first described and demonstrated by Roger N. Shepard, an American cognitive psychologist and musician, in the 1960s.
The Shepard scale is created by producing a set of tones that are separated by an octave, arranged in such a way that the highest and lowest notes have a frequency overlap. As the tones are played in succession, the volume of each tone is adjusted so that it fades out while the next tone fades in, creating a continuous sequence. By doing so, Shepard created a sound that seems to be constantly ascending or descending in pitch, with no clear starting or ending point.
This auditory illusion exploits a fundamental characteristic of human perception known as the octave illusion, where the brain interprets a sequence of tones in terms of their relative frequencies rather than their actual pitch. The Shepard scale can create a perceptual paradox, as it challenges our understanding of pitch and produces an infinite loop of apparent motion, evoking a sense of infinite ascent or descent.
The Shepard scale has been widely used in the field of psychology, music, and audio production to study perception, explore musical composition, and create compelling auditory effects in various media forms.
Etymology of SHEPARD SCALE
The term "Shepard scale" is named after Roger Shepard, an American cognitive psychologist, musician, and inventor. The name "Shepard scale" was coined by Roger Shepard himself to describe a specific auditory illusion he discovered in the 1960s. The illusion creates a perception of a continuously ascending or descending musical scale with no actual change in pitch. The term "Shepard scale" has since been widely used to refer to this auditory phenomenon.
