Harmonic series - Revision history

FloraC: Style. - redundant link

2026-03-26T11:21:23Z

Style. - redundant link

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 26 March 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}		{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}
	The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[pitch\|tones]] generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]]… ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").		The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[pitch\|tones]] generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]], … ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").

	Note that the terms ''overtone'' and '''overtone series''' are not quite synonymous with ''harmonic'' and ''harmonic series'', respectively, although interchangeable usage is also attested. Technically speaking, ''overtone series'' excludes the starting fundamental, so the 2nd harmonic is the 1st overtone. Because of that distinction, the math of the "overtone series" is off by one. So, "harmonic series" is arguably the preferred standard.		Note that the terms ''overtone'' and '''overtone series''' are not quite synonymous with ''harmonic'' and ''harmonic series'', respectively, although interchangeable usage is also attested. Technically speaking, ''overtone series'' excludes the starting fundamental, so the 2nd harmonic is the 1st overtone. Because of that distinction, the math of the ''overtone series'' is off by one. So, ''harmonic series'' is arguably the preferred standard.

	In [[just intonation]] theory, the harmonic series is often treated as the foundation of consonance.		In [[just intonation]] theory, the harmonic series is often treated as the foundation of consonance.

	The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7~~...~~ ad infinitum.		The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, … ad infinitum.

	[[File:HEJI harmonics 1-16.png\|thumb\|center\|650px\|Harmonic series on A, partials 1 to 16, notated in [[HEJI]].]]		[[File:HEJI harmonics 1-16.png\|thumb\|center\|650px\|Harmonic series on A, partials 1 to 16, notated in [[HEJI]].]]
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	Treated as a [[chord]], the harmonic series is sometimes called the '''chord of nature'''; in German this has been called the '''Klang'''.		Treated as a [[chord]], the harmonic series is sometimes called the '''chord of nature'''; in German this has been called the '''Klang'''.

	The ''q''-limit chord of nature is 1:2:3:4:~~...~~:''q'' up to some odd number ''q'', and is the basic ''q''-[[limit]] [[Otonality and utonality\|otonality]] which can be equated via [[Octave reduction\|octave equivalence]] to other versions of the complete ''q''-limit otonal chord.		The ''q''-limit chord of nature is 1:2:3:4:…:''q'' up to some odd number ''q'', and is the basic ''q''-[[limit]] [[Otonality and utonality\|otonality]] which can be equated via [[Octave reduction\|octave equivalence]] to other versions of the complete ''q''-limit otonal chord.

	== Music based on the harmonic series ==		== Music based on the harmonic series ==
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	One might compose with the harmonic series by, for instance:		One might compose with the harmonic series by, for instance:

	* Tuning to the first several harmonics over one fundamental;		* Tuning to the first several harmonics over one fundamental;
	* Tuning to an octave-repeating slice of the harmonic series for use as a scale (for instance harmonics 8 though 16, [[otones12-24\|12 through 24]], [[otones20-40\|20 through 40]]~~...~~ see [[overtone scales]]);		* Tuning to an octave-repeating slice of the harmonic series for use as a scale (for instance harmonics 8 though 16, [[otones12-24\|12 through 24]], [[otones20-40\|20 through 40]], … see [[overtone scales]]);
	* Tuning to the overtones of the overtones & the undertones of the undertones. (This can produce complex scales such as [[Harry Partch]]'s 43-tone Monophonic; this kind of thing is more often called "just intonation" than "overtone music".)		* Tuning to the overtones of the overtones & the undertones of the undertones. (This can produce complex scales such as [[Harry Partch]]'s 43-tone Monophonic; this kind of thing is more often called "just intonation" than "overtone music".)

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	* Various played with Fujara (slovak overtone flute)		* Various played with Fujara (slovak overtone flute)

	; {{w\|Georg Friedrich Haas}}		; {{W\|Georg Friedrich Haas}}
	* String Quartet No.2, mm. 1~57		* String Quartet No.2, mm. 1~57

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	* Various (experimental alphorn and yodeling combined with overtone singing)		* Various (experimental alphorn and yodeling combined with overtone singing)

	; {{w\|Karlheinz Stockhausen}}		; {{W\|Karlheinz Stockhausen}}
	* {{w\|Stimmung\|''Stimmung''}} (1968)		* {{W\|Stimmung\|''Stimmung''}} (1968)
	* {{w\|Sternklang\|''Sternklang''}} (1971)		* {{W\|Sternklang\|''Sternklang''}} (1971)

	; [[Cam Taylor]]		; [[Cam Taylor]]
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	* ''Rock Trio in Harmonic Series'' (2016) – [http://chrisvaisvil.com/rock-trio-in-harmonic-series/ blog] \| [http://micro.soonlabel.com/harmonic_series/Nevadatite20160226_harmonic_band.mp3 play]		* ''Rock Trio in Harmonic Series'' (2016) – [http://chrisvaisvil.com/rock-trio-in-harmonic-series/ blog] \| [http://micro.soonlabel.com/harmonic_series/Nevadatite20160226_harmonic_band.mp3 play]

	; {{w\|Glenn Branca}} ([http://www.glennbranca.com/ site])		; {{W\|Glenn Branca}} ([http://www.glennbranca.com/ site])
	* ''Symphony No. 3 "Gloria"'' (1983)		* ''Symphony No. 3 "Gloria"'' (1983)

	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Subharmonic series]]
	* [[Gallery of just intervals]]		* [[Gallery of just intervals]]
	* [[Isoharmonic chords]]		* [[Isoharmonic chords]]
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
			* [[Wikipedia: Spectral music]]
	* [~~https~~:~~//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectral_music~~ Spectral music ~~article on Wikipedia~~]
	* [http://www.naturton-musik.de/ www.naturton-musik.de]{{dead link}} - web site dedicated to overtone music (by Austrian composer Johannes Kotschy) - a lot of theory material and practical guides to write music based on the overtone series		* [http://www.naturton-musik.de/ www.naturton-musik.de]{{dead link}} - web site dedicated to overtone music (by Austrian composer Johannes Kotschy) - a lot of theory material and practical guides to write music based on the overtone series
	* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.		* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.

FloraC: Update interwiki

2026-03-26T10:52:09Z

Update interwiki

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:52, 26 March 2026
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	{{~~interwiki~~		{{Interwiki
	\| en = Harmonic series		\| en = Harmonic series
	\| de = Obertonreihe		\| de = Obertonreihe
	\| es =		\| es =
	\| ja =		\| ja =
			\| ko = 배음렬
	\| ro = Seria armonică		\| ro = Seria armonică
			\| zh = 泛音列
	}}		}}
	{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}		{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}
	The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[~~Pitch~~\|~~tone~~]]s generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]]… ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").		The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[pitch\|tones]] generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]]… ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").

	Note that the terms ''overtone'' and '''overtone series''' are not quite synonymous with ''harmonic'' and ''harmonic series'', respectively, although interchangeable usage is also attested. Technically speaking, ''overtone series'' excludes the starting fundamental, so the 2nd harmonic is the 1st overtone. Because of that distinction, the math of the "overtone series" is off by one. So, "harmonic series" is arguably the preferred standard.		Note that the terms ''overtone'' and '''overtone series''' are not quite synonymous with ''harmonic'' and ''harmonic series'', respectively, although interchangeable usage is also attested. Technically speaking, ''overtone series'' excludes the starting fundamental, so the 2nd harmonic is the 1st overtone. Because of that distinction, the math of the "overtone series" is off by one. So, "harmonic series" is arguably the preferred standard.

TallKite: /* See also */ added a link

2026-03-09T02:03:29Z

Lucius Chiaraviglio: /* External links */ Add Noah Jordan's How Prime Harmonics Fill the Octave (≤1024) — Microtonal & Just Intonation Visualization] (2026)

2026-01-27T10:56:04Z

External links: Add Noah Jordan's How Prime Harmonics Fill the Octave (≤1024) — Microtonal & Just Intonation Visualization] (2026)

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:56, 27 January 2026
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	* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.		* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.
	* [https://www.xing.com/net/overtonenetwork Oberton-Netzwerk (Xing)]{{dead link}} - German-speaking group dedicated to overtone music on the social network platform [http://www.xing.com Xing]. Microtonal music in general is welcome, too.		* [https://www.xing.com/net/overtonenetwork Oberton-Netzwerk (Xing)]{{dead link}} - German-speaking group dedicated to overtone music on the social network platform [http://www.xing.com Xing]. Microtonal music in general is welcome, too.
	* [[Noah Jordan]] ~~video~~: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyceyPMJAb8 All Harmonics Within One Octave (1–64) \| Harmonic Series Explained Visually]		* [[Noah Jordan]] videos:
			** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyceyPMJAb8 All Harmonics Within One Octave (1–64) \| Harmonic Series Explained Visually] (2026)
			** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAUeGio1Fdg How Prime Harmonics Fill the Octave (≤1024) — Microtonal & Just Intonation Visualization] (2026)

	[[Category:Harmonic]]		[[Category:Harmonic]]
	[[Category:Listen]]		[[Category:Listen]]
	[[Category:Terms]]		[[Category:Terms]]

Neutraldown: /* Music */

2026-01-20T02:35:08Z

Music

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:35, 20 January 2026
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	; {{w\|Georg Friedrich Haas}}		; {{w\|Georg Friedrich Haas}}
	* ~~Various<sup>[''which?'']</sup>~~		* String Quartet No.2, mm. 1~57

	; [[Dave Hill]]		; [[Dave Hill]]

Lucius Chiaraviglio: /* External links */ Add Noah Jordan's All Harmonics Within One Octave (1–64) | Harmonic Series Explained Visually

2026-01-19T06:42:35Z

External links: Add Noah Jordan's All Harmonics Within One Octave (1–64) | Harmonic Series Explained Visually

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:42, 19 January 2026
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	* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.		* [http://www.overtone.cc Overtone music network] - a portal for overtone music.
	* [https://www.xing.com/net/overtonenetwork Oberton-Netzwerk (Xing)]{{dead link}} - German-speaking group dedicated to overtone music on the social network platform [http://www.xing.com Xing]. Microtonal music in general is welcome, too.		* [https://www.xing.com/net/overtonenetwork Oberton-Netzwerk (Xing)]{{dead link}} - German-speaking group dedicated to overtone music on the social network platform [http://www.xing.com Xing]. Microtonal music in general is welcome, too.
			* [[Noah Jordan]] video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyceyPMJAb8 All Harmonics Within One Octave (1–64) \| Harmonic Series Explained Visually]

	[[Category:Harmonic]]		[[Category:Harmonic]]
	[[Category:Listen]]		[[Category:Listen]]
	[[Category:Terms]]		[[Category:Terms]]

Fredg999: Add image in the lead section (taken from the HEJI document)

2025-02-17T03:49:50Z

Add image in the lead section (taken from the HEJI document)

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:49, 17 February 2025
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	}}		}}
	{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}		{{Wikipedia\|Harmonic series (music)}}

	The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[Pitch\|tone]]s generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]]… ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").		The '''harmonic series''' is a sequence of [[Pitch\|tone]]s generated by whole-number frequency [[ratio]]s over a fundamental: [[1/1]], [[2/1]], [[3/1]], [[4/1]], [[5/1]], [[6/1]], [[7/1]]… ad infinitum. Each member of this series is a [[harmonic]] (which is short for "harmonic partial").

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	The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7... ad infinitum.		The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7... ad infinitum.

			[[File:HEJI harmonics 1-16.png\|thumb\|center\|650px\|Harmonic series on A, partials 1 to 16, notated in [[HEJI]].]]

	== Chord of nature ==		== Chord of nature ==

Fredg999: Merge "Chord of nature" in a new section

2024-12-22T22:30:05Z

Merge "Chord of nature" in a new section

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 22 December 2024
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	The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7... ad infinitum.		The [[subharmonic series]] (or undertone series) is the inversion of the harmonic series: 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7... ad infinitum.

			== Chord of nature ==
			{{Wikipedia\|Klang (music)}}
			Treated as a [[chord]], the harmonic series is sometimes called the '''chord of nature'''; in German this has been called the '''Klang'''.

			The ''q''-limit chord of nature is 1:2:3:4:...:''q'' up to some odd number ''q'', and is the basic ''q''-[[limit]] [[Otonality and utonality\|otonality]] which can be equated via [[Octave reduction\|octave equivalence]] to other versions of the complete ''q''-limit otonal chord.

	== Music based on the harmonic series ==		== Music based on the harmonic series ==

BudjarnLambeth: /* See also */ add link to orphaned page

2024-12-02T00:16:12Z

Em: Undo revision 161983 by Em (talk).

2024-10-23T20:30:23Z

Undo revision 161983 by Em (talk).

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:03, 9 March 2026
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	* [[List of octave-reduced harmonics]]		* [[List of octave-reduced harmonics]]
	* [[Prime harmonic series]]		* [[Prime harmonic series]]
			* [[Kite's thoughts on the V-I cadence in higher prime limits]]
	* [[Mike Sheiman's Very Easy Scale Building From The Harmonic Series Page]]		* [[Mike Sheiman's Very Easy Scale Building From The Harmonic Series Page]]
	* [[8th Octave Overtone Tuning]]		* [[8th Octave Overtone Tuning]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:16, 2 December 2024
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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	*[[Subharmonic series]]		* [[Subharmonic series]]
	* [[Gallery of just intervals]]		* [[Gallery of just intervals]]
	* [[Isoharmonic chords]]		* [[Isoharmonic chords]]
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	* [[Mike Sheiman's Very Easy Scale Building From The Harmonic Series Page]]		* [[Mike Sheiman's Very Easy Scale Building From The Harmonic Series Page]]
	* [[8th Octave Overtone Tuning]]		* [[8th Octave Overtone Tuning]]
			* [[Johannes Kotschy]]

	== External links ==		== External links ==