Glossary
Note
Glossary
A note played by different instruments can sound very different, but still be considered the same note, since the two sounds share the same fundamental frequency (the same pitch).
Piano
Organ
However, a note is more than just its pitch, as the sound of a note includes layers of harmonics which are resonances at higher frequencies (whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency). These acoustic consonances have implications for harmony.
Sine Wave
Harp
Traditional acoustic instruments create resonant sounds by vibrating the air in a tube (such as that of a flute, bugle or pipe organ), plucking or vibrating a tight string (such as that of a guitar, violin, or piano), or striking the tight skin of a drum.
Modern electronic instruments (guitar amplifiers, synthesizers, samplers) convert digital or analog frequency representations into voltages that move electromagnets, which move loudspeakers or headphone drivers, which move air.
A note played by different instruments can sound very different, but still be considered the same note, since the two sounds share the same fundamental frequency (the same pitch).
However, a note is more than just its pitch, as the sound of a note includes layers of harmonics which are resonances at higher frequencies (whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency). These acoustic consonances have implications for harmony.
Traditional acoustic instruments create resonant sounds by vibrating the air in a tube (such as that of a flute, bugle or pipe organ), plucking or vibrating a tight string (such as that of a guitar, violin, or piano), or striking the tight skin of a drum.
Modern electronic instruments (guitar amplifiers, synthesizers, samplers) convert digital or analog frequency representations into voltages that move electromagnets, which move loudspeakers or headphone drivers, which move air.