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An auditory illusion: The Shepard Tone

Updated Monday, 11 April 2011
It's been called the sonic barber's pole - but what does the Shepard Tone sound like? Try it for yourself...

This page was published over 13 years ago. Please be aware that due to the passage of time, the information provided on this page may be out of date or otherwise inaccurate, and any views or opinions expressed may no longer be relevant. Some technical elements such as audio-visual and interactive media may no longer work. For more detail, see how we deal with older content.

A tiny man in an ear
Can you believe your ears? Image: Vernhart

This exercise is extracted from The Open University course The Technology Of Music

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