Question

What is the key signature for B♭ Major (Concert D♭ or C#)?

1) ♭ Major (Concert C♭ or B#)
2) Major (Concert E or D#)
3) Major (Concert F or E#)
4) ♭ Major (Concert G♭ or F#)

Answer 1

When F, F-sharp, and G are struck on a piano, creating frequencies of 349, 370, and 392 Hz respectively, the produced beat frequencies are 21 Hz between F and F-sharp, and 22 Hz between F-sharp and G.

Step-by-step explanation:

When three adjacent keys on a piano—F, F-sharp, and G—are struck simultaneously, producing frequencies of 349, 370, and 392 Hz respectively, two primary beat frequencies are produced. The beat frequency results from the interference of two sounds of slightly different frequencies. This phenomenon is called beats.

The first beat frequency is the difference between 370 Hz (F-sharp) and 349 Hz (F), which is 21 Hz. Similarly, the second beat frequency is the difference between 392 Hz (G) and 370 Hz (F-sharp), which also yields 22 Hz. Therefore, when these keys are played together, a listener would hear two distinct beat frequencies, one at 21 Hz and another at 22 Hz, both of which are generally considered discordant.