Harmonic: Difference between revisions
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A '''harmonic''' is a whole-number multiple of the fundamental frequency of a sound. It is an element of the [[harmonic series]]. | 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 | The timbre of a periodic sound, 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", and considered them to be a unique interval class separate from [[superparticular]] and [[superpartient]] intervals. | The ancient Greeks called these harmonics "multiples", and considered them to be a unique interval class separate from [[superparticular]] and [[superpartient]] intervals. | ||