Harmonic timbre: Difference between revisions

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A [[timbre]] is '''harmonic''' when ~~its~~ [[~~frequency~~]] ~~spectrum has the property that all overtones~~ are ~~exact~~ multiples of the lowest frequency. ~~This causes the sound wave to be~~ periodic (~~where the frequency of the sound wave is the frequency of~~ the lowest ~~note~~ in the spectrum~~) and causes just intervals to be concordant through~~ the ~~alignment~~ of ~~partials~~. ~~Examples~~ of harmonic ~~timbres include those of most instruments,~~ the ~~human voice,~~ and ~~most synthesized tones (like saw, square, and triangle waves)~~.

A [[timbre]] is '''harmonic''' when all [[overtone]]s are integer multiples of the lowest frequency.

All periodic waves are harmonic.

The [[fundamental]], which is (usually) the lowest overtone in the spectrum, determines the [[pitch]] of a musical tone.

When considered as intervals, the sequence of harmonic overtones is called the [[harmonic series]] and is the basis of [[just intonation]].

~~A timbre can be said to be '''nearly~~ harmonic~~''' if its overtones are approximately equal to integer multiples~~ of the ~~fundamental frequency. Examples include~~ most ~~plucked string instruments~~ (like ~~cellos played ''pizzicato''~~, ~~guitars~~, and ~~pianos~~).

Examples of harmonic timbres include those of most instruments, the human voice, and most synthesized tones (like saw, square, and triangle waves).

A timbre is '''inharmonic''' if its overtones deviate significantly from integer multiples of the fundamental. Examples include ~~metallophones~~ (like ~~those~~ used in [[gamelan]]) ~~and drums~~.

A timbre can be said to be '''nearly harmonic''' if its overtones are approximately equal to integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. Examples include most plucked and hammered string instruments (like violin-family played ''pizzicato'', guitars, harpsichords, and pianos).

A timbre is '''inharmonic''' if its overtones deviate significantly from integer multiples of the fundamental. Examples include membranophones (drums) and idiophones (like xylophones, glockenspiels, and many of the instruments used in [[gamelan]]).

[[Category:Timbre]]

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 {{Wikipedia|Harmonic spectrum}}
-A [[timbre]] is '''harmonic''' when its [[frequency]] spectrum has the property that all overtones are exact multiples of the lowest frequency. This causes the sound wave to be periodic (where the frequency of the sound wave is the frequency of the lowest note in the spectrum) and causes just intervals to be concordant through the alignment of partials. Examples of harmonic timbres include those of most instruments, the human voice, and most synthesized tones (like saw, square, and triangle waves).
+A [[timbre]] is '''harmonic''' when all [[overtone]]s are integer multiples of the lowest frequency.
+All periodic waves are harmonic.
+The [[fundamental]], which is (usually) the lowest overtone in the spectrum, determines the [[pitch]] of a musical tone.
+When considered as intervals, the sequence of harmonic overtones is called the [[harmonic series]] and is the basis of [[just intonation]].
-A timbre can be said to be '''nearly harmonic''' if its overtones are approximately equal to integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. Examples include most plucked string instruments (like cellos played ''pizzicato'', guitars, and pianos).
+Examples of harmonic timbres include those of most instruments, the human voice, and most synthesized tones (like saw, square, and triangle waves).
-A timbre is '''inharmonic''' if its overtones deviate significantly from integer multiples of the fundamental. Examples include metallophones (like those used in [[gamelan]]) and drums.
+A timbre can be said to be '''nearly harmonic''' if its overtones are approximately equal to integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. Examples include most plucked and hammered string instruments (like violin-family played ''pizzicato'', guitars, harpsichords, and pianos).
+A timbre is '''inharmonic''' if its overtones deviate significantly from integer multiples of the fundamental. Examples include membranophones (drums) and idiophones (like xylophones, glockenspiels, and many of the instruments used in [[gamelan]]).
 [[Category:Timbre]]