Centering of hairs on the basilar membrane

    We take it as a given that 261hz is the "middle C" center.  But what is the center frequency that EACH hair on the basilar membrane receives (I the frequencies that sound most easy to hear clearly as individual/monophonically-played notes)?

   All too often we never talk about exactly how/why register matters...I think it's about time we give it a go.  Anyone know where I can find information on the alignment of the basilar membrane?

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 4:08 PM, Michael <djtrancendance@...> wrote:
>
>     We take it as a given that 261hz is the "middle C" center.  But what is the center frequency that EACH hair on the basilar membrane receives (I the frequencies that sound most easy to hear clearly as individual/monophonically-played notes)?
>
>    All too often we never talk about exactly how/why register matters...I think it's about time we give it a go.  Anyone know where I can find information on the alignment of the basilar membrane?

The basilar membrane doesn't work like that, and the exact frequency
of each hair probably varies on an individual basis. What's important
is that they're set up in a logarithmic pattern. Each hair doesn't
respond to only one frequency, but a range of frequencies, and they
overlap.

A critical band spontaneously forms around whatever tone you play; it
isn't like there's a set range of critical bands that you either hit
or don't hit.

-Mike

MikeB>"The basilar membrane doesn't work like that, and the exact frequency of each hair probably varies on an individual basis. What's important is that they're set up in a logarithmic pattern. Each hair doesn't respond to only one frequency, but a range of frequencies, and they overlap."

  Ah ok...so you can never find an exact center frequency, but only a range...  Even then is it possible to get a relative "on the average" center for each hair valid for most people (IE an average of several individual's values) where that average center of a "higher" and "lower" (on average) frequency hair do not overlap?

Michael,

Responded offlist.

-Mike

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 11:48 PM, Michael <djtrancendance@...> wrote:
>
> MikeB>"The basilar membrane doesn't work like that, and the exact frequency of each hair probably varies on an individual basis. What's important is that they're set up in a logarithmic pattern. Each hair doesn't respond to only one frequency, but a range of frequencies, and they overlap."
>
>   Ah ok...so you can never find an exact center frequency, but only a range...  Even then is it possible to get a relative "on the average" center for each hair valid for most people (IE an average of several individual's values) where that average center of a "higher" and "lower" (on average) frequency hair do not overlap?