Final answer:
The relative minor key is found by moving down three half-steps from the tonic of a major scale. On a piano, striking F, F-sharp, and G keys together results in beat frequencies of 21 Hz and 22 Hz. Differences in the combination of fundamental frequencies and overtones give instruments their unique timbres.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relative Minor Keys in Music
The relative minor of a major key in music is a concept that involves understanding the relationship between major and minor scales that share the same key signature. To find the relative minor of a given major key, one can move down three half-steps (semitones) from the tonic (first note) of the major scale. For instance, if one were to start on the note C, moving down three half-steps would lead to the note A, which is the relative minor of C major.
In the context of a piano, striking three adjacent keys such as F, F-sharp, and G simultaneously at frequencies of 349, 370, and 392 Hz respectively, would produce beat frequencies. These beats are heard as a result of the interference between close frequencies. Specifically, beats would occur at the differences between these frequencies: 21 Hz (370-349) and 22 Hz (392-370).
Numerous factors contribute to the distinctive timbres of musical instruments, including the combinations of fundamental frequencies and overtones. Two instruments could sound very different even if playing the same note due to these variances. This explores the intricate characteristics of sound that contribute to the richness and variety of music.