Why do some notes sound good together?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Frequencies have simple ratios
Brain prefers familiar patterns — Wrong. Culture affects preferences, but pleasing harmonies have a physical basis: simple frequency ratios create consonance.
Frequencies have simple ratios ✓ — Correct! Notes sound good together (consonant) when their frequencies have simple mathematical ratios. An octave is 2:1, a perfect fifth is 3:2, a major third is 5:4. These simple ratios cause wave patterns to align regularly, creating pleasant, stable sounds.
Loud notes mask the dissonance — Wrong. Volume doesn't make notes harmonize. Good-sounding combinations come from specific frequency relationships creating consonance.