Definition of Pitch reset
In speech, phonetic pitch reset occurs at the boundaries (pausa) between prosodic units.
Over the course of such units, the median pitch of the voice declines from its initial value, sometimes reaching the lower end of the speaker's vocal range. Then, it must reset to a higher level if the person is to continue speaking. In non-tonal languages, the sudden increase in pitch is one of the principal auditory cues to the start of a new prosodic unit.
In register tone languages which experience discrete downdrift, pitch reset is required as the tones approach the lower end of the speaker's comfort range, and in those languages which experience tone terracing, it is in addition required in order to maintain the tonal distinctions of the language.
Related terms
Boundary tone
The term boundary tone refers to a rise or fall in pitch that occurs in speech at the…
Pitch contour
In linguistics, speech synthesis, and music, the pitch contour of a sound is a function…
Scale (music)
In music theory, a scale is "any consecutive series of notes that form a progression…
Interval (music)
In music theory, an interval is a difference in pitch between two sounds. An interval…
Quarter tone
A quarter tone is a pitch halfway between the usual notes of a chromatic scale or an…
Pitch space
In music theory, pitch spaces model relationships between pitches. These models…
Diplacusis
Diplacusis, also known as diplacusis binauralis, binauralis disharmonica or interaural…
Pitch class space
In music theory, pitch-class space is the circular space representing all the notes…
Relative pitch
Relative pitch is the ability of a person to identify or re-create a given musical note…
Frequently asked questions
What is Pitch reset?
In speech, phonetic pitch reset occurs at the boundaries (pausa) between prosodic units.