In a musical context, what does 'pitch' refer to?

In a musical context, 'pitch' refers specifically to how high or low a sound is. This characteristic is determined by the frequency of the sound wave: higher frequencies produce higher pitches, while lower frequencies result in lower pitches. For example, a flute typically produces higher pitches compared to a tuba, which plays lower pitches. Understanding pitch is fundamental in music composition, as it helps musicians distinguish between different notes and harmonies, enabling them to create melodies that are either ascending or descending in tone.

The other options relate to different aspects of sound: the heaviness of a sound pertains to its perceived volume or intensity, the speed of sound is a physical property regarding how fast sound travels through a medium, and the duration of a note refers to how long a note is held or played. Each of these concepts is important in music but represents a different element than pitch itself.