Howtosignalprocessing
The reason the same musical note sounds different when played on various instruments is because the harmonic overtones and envelope of each instrument is unique. When a frequency is played, other frequencies, called harmonics, are created. Each instrument has a unique harmonic character.
- Why do different musical instruments sound different?
- How does each instrument differ from one another?
- Is the quality that makes one musical instrument sound different from other even when they re playing the same note?
- Do the musical instruments produce the same sounds?
Why do different musical instruments sound different?
The same note from different instruments has different qualities because the sounds from instruments are never pure notes, i.e. of one frequency, the only exception being a tuning fork.
How does each instrument differ from one another?
One reason for this is that instruments are made of different materials and are in different shapes. The shape and materials of the instrument does affect the tone of the instrument, but the main reason instruments have a unique tone has to do with the harmonic partials associated with that instrument.
Is the quality that makes one musical instrument sound different from other even when they re playing the same note?
In simple terms, timbre is what makes a particular musical instrument or human voice have a different sound from another, even when they play or sing the same note. For instance, it is the difference in sound between a guitar and a piano playing the same note at the same volume.
Do the musical instruments produce the same sounds?
Instruments produce a sound when a part of it vibrates, producing sounds that are loud enough to be heard by the human ear. These sounds, or musical notes, are produced differently in each of the four main families of instruments: Woodwind, Brass, String, and Percussion.
