Inharmonic: meaning, definitions and examples
🎶
inharmonic
[ ɪnˈhɑːrmənɪk ]
musical quality
Inharmonic refers to sounds that do not have a harmonious relationship or that are not based on whole number ratios. This can occur in music when the overtones produced do not correspond to the fundamental frequency, resulting in dissonance or an unsettling sound. Inharmonic spectra are often encountered in non-pitched instruments or certain electronic sounds.
Synonyms
discordant, dissonant, non-harmonic
Examples of usage
- The inharmonic overtones created by the cymbals were jarring.
- Many electronic music producers experiment with inharmonic frequencies.
- The inharmonic nature of the sound added an unconventional edge to the composition.
Translations
Translations of the word "inharmonic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 inharmónico
🇮🇳 असंगत
🇩🇪 inharmonisch
🇮🇩 inharmonik
🇺🇦 негармонійний
🇵🇱 nieharmonijny
🇯🇵 非調和の
🇫🇷 inharmonique
🇪🇸 inharmónico
🇹🇷 inharmonik
🇰🇷 비조화의
🇸🇦 غير متناغم
🇨🇿 neharmonický
🇸🇰 neharmonický
🇨🇳 不和谐的
🇸🇮 neharmoničen
🇮🇸 óharmónískur
🇰🇿 гармониясыз
🇬🇪 უწარმოო
🇦🇿 harmoniyalı deyil
🇲🇽 inharmónico
Etymology
The term 'inharmonic' is derived from the prefix 'in-', meaning 'not', combined with the word 'harmonic', which itself originates from the Greek word 'harmonikos', meaning 'skilled in music' or 'musical'. 'Harmonic' refers to the relationship between notes that are in harmony. The concept of inharmonicity has been explored in both music theory and acoustics, especially in the study of sound production in various instruments. Over time, as music evolved, particularly with the advent of electronic instruments, the notion of inharmonic sounds became important in understanding how certain notes can occupy a space in music compositions that is more complex than traditional harmony. Thus, inharmonicity has implications not only for music but also for how we perceive sound reverberation and tone quality.