Overtones: meaning, definitions and examples

When describing the additional frequencies that are higher than the fundamental frequency in musical and acoustic contexts.

• The overtones added a rich texture to the sound of the violin.
• In acoustics, overtones help distinguish the timbre of different instruments.

In music and physics, used to discuss integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, often in relation to vibrating strings or air columns.

• When you pluck a guitar string, you can hear the fundamental note as well as its harmonics.
• The harmonics created by the vocal cords are what give the human voice its unique sound.

Technical term in music and acoustics for the constituents of a sound, including the fundamental frequency and any higher frequencies.

• The analysis of the sound revealed numerous partials contributing to its complex timbre.
• Understanding partials helps in creating realistic digital music synthesizers.

Used to describe the phenomena where a system vibrates at specific frequencies with larger amplitudes. Common in both physics and musical contexts.

• The resonances in the concert hall enhance the quality of the music.
• When you hit the right frequency, the glass started to vibrate due to its natural resonances.