Virtual fundamental

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The virtual fundamental (VF) or virtual pitch is the perceived pitch of a missing fundamental frequency when only its harmonics are present. This phenomenon allows the brain to create a perception of the fundamental frequency even when it's not physically present.

The concept can also be applied to chords. This is the easiest to see when a chord is written as a sequence of overtones. For example, the virtual fundamental of a 4:5:6 major triad is the fundamental: 1:4:5:6, which in this case is two octaves below the root of the triad.

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