Question

To what does the term register refer in describing sound?

Answer 1

The term register in sound refers to a range of tones that can be produced by a musical instrument or voice within a particular pattern, distinct from timbre, which is the unique quality of sound.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discussing sound, the term register refers to the specific range of tones produced by a voice or musical instrument, distinguished by its patterns. Register is a concept in music and speech that corresponds to the scale of pitches that are available - from lowest to highest - for a given sound-producing source. It is related to, but distinct from, timbre, which is the quality or color of sound that makes one instrument or voice distinguishable from another even when they are playing the same note at the same loudness. Timbre involves the complex interplay of frequency, amplitude, and timing of sound waves, contributing to the uniqueness of a sound's character, often described using terms like brilliant, warm, or rich.

Answer 2

The pitch of the sound describes its highness or lowness. ... Register refers to a particular range of pitches that an instrument can reach. For example, an instrument can be played in its lower or upper register. The lower register producing lower pitches and the upper register producing higher pitches.