Harmonic: Difference between revisions
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''' | {{Wikipedia|Harmonic}} | ||
A '''harmonic''' is a whole-number multiple of the fundamental frequency of a sound. It is an element of the [[harmonic series]]. | |||
The timbre of harmonic oscillators, such as a bowed violin or the human voice, contains a nearly infinite amount of harmonic [[partial]]s, starting with 1''f'', 2''f'', 3''f'', 4''f''... where ''f'' is the fundamental frequency. Each of these harmonics has a distinct amplitude, generally decreasing as the 'height' of the harmonic increases. The span between any two of these harmonics is called a [[just interval]]. | |||
The ancient Greeks called these harmonics "multiples, | The ancient Greeks called these harmonics "multiples", and considered them to be a unique interval class separate from [[superparticular]] and [[superpartient]] intervals. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Mixed timbre]] | * [[Mixed timbre]] | ||
[[Category:Harmonic| ]] <!-- main article --> | [[Category:Harmonic| ]] <!-- main article --> | ||
[[Category:Psychoacoustics]] | [[Category:Psychoacoustics]] | ||
[[Category:Theory]] | [[Category:Theory]] | ||
Revision as of 03:49, 12 December 2021
A harmonic is a whole-number multiple of the fundamental frequency of a sound. It is an element of the harmonic series.
The timbre of harmonic oscillators, such as a bowed violin or the human voice, contains a nearly infinite amount of harmonic partials, starting with 1f, 2f, 3f, 4f... where f is the fundamental frequency. Each of these harmonics has a distinct amplitude, generally decreasing as the 'height' of the harmonic increases. The span between any two of these harmonics is called a just interval.
The ancient Greeks called these harmonics "multiples", and considered them to be a unique interval class separate from superparticular and superpartient intervals.