Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Overtones

Any resonant frequency higher than the fundamental frequency in a musical sound.

Governing formula First Overtone = 2nd Harmonic (for strings)
SI unit Hz

In depth

In strings and open pipes, overtones are integer multiples of the fundamental. In non-linear systems like drums or bells, overtones can be non-integer multiples.

Examples in the real world

The rich, bright quality of a flute vs a clarinet caused by different overtone spectrum balances.