Harmonics: Difference between revisions

From Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
Harmonics are vibrations at frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental. They are characterized as even-order and odd-order harmonics. For instance, the "second-order harmonic" is the fundamental [[frequency]] multiplied by two, and is an even-order harmonic. Each even-order harmonic is one octave or x octaves higher than the fundamental; they are therefore musically equivalent to the fundamental frequency. Odd-order harmonics create a series of notes that are musically related to the fundamental [[frequency]]—unparallel but resonant with the fundamental, they inform musical scales and give rise to Chords. Non-integer harmonics are also called "overtones" or "partials". Overtones and partials give rise to the timbre ''(tone quality)'' of a particular instrument.
Harmonics are vibrations at frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental. They are characterized as even-order and odd-order harmonics. For instance, the "second-order harmonic" is the fundamental [[frequency]] multiplied by two, and is an even-order harmonic. Each even-order harmonic is one octave or x octaves higher than the fundamental; they are therefore musically equivalent to the fundamental frequency. Odd-order harmonics create a series of notes that are musically related to the fundamental [[frequency]]—unparallel but resonant with the fundamental, they inform musical scales and give rise to Chords. Non-integer harmonics are also called "overtones" or "partials". Overtones and partials give rise to the timbre ''(tone quality)'' of a particular instrument.


'''Example: wavelengths of vibrating strings or overtones are proportional 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc.  
'''Example: wavelengths of vibrating strings or overtones are proportional 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc in a common Harmonic Series. '''
<math>\sum_{h=1}^\inf \frac{1}{h} =  
<math>\sum_{h=1}^\inf \frac{1}{h} =  
1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} +
1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} +
\cdots + \frac{1}{n} </math>
\cdots + \frac{1}{h} </math>

Revision as of 17:41, 18 January 2006

Harmonics are vibrations at frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental. They are characterized as even-order and odd-order harmonics. For instance, the "second-order harmonic" is the fundamental frequency multiplied by two, and is an even-order harmonic. Each even-order harmonic is one octave or x octaves higher than the fundamental; they are therefore musically equivalent to the fundamental frequency. Odd-order harmonics create a series of notes that are musically related to the fundamental frequency—unparallel but resonant with the fundamental, they inform musical scales and give rise to Chords. Non-integer harmonics are also called "overtones" or "partials". Overtones and partials give rise to the timbre (tone quality) of a particular instrument.

Example: wavelengths of vibrating strings or overtones are proportional 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc in a common Harmonic Series.