Use of the word pitch

[Hansman]

In a stressed syllable, the vowel curves up then down. In a unstressed syllable, it's lower and flatter in pitch.

the vowel curves up then down.

If I rewrite the sentence, using the word pitch, which one is natural or right or anything else?

1) the vowel is up then down in pitch.
2) the pitch is up then down.
3) the pitch is high then low.

 

[Tarheel]

I like the third one best.

 

[emsr2d2]

If the first thing it does is "curve up" as the original sentence says, saying "The pitch is high then low" isn't right. It has apparently "curved up" from somewhere in order to get to "high" so you need to add where it starts before it "curves up".

 

[Skrej]

We often speak of 'rising/falling pitch', so perhaps 'the vowel rises then falls in pitch'.

Another appropriate term is 'glide'.

The vowel glides up and down in pitch.