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The beauty of music lies not only in the melody and rhythm, but also in the unique tone of each instrument.From the metallic luster of the trumpet to the warmth and thickness of the cello, these differences in sound quality stem from various factors, especially the generation and manipulation of harmonics.So, what exactly are harmonics and why do they affect the sound quality of the instrument?
The harmonic is a sine wave with a frequency, which is a positive integer multiple of the basic frequency of a periodic signal.The basic frequency is also called the first harmonic, while the other harmonics are called the higher harmonic.
In music, the role of harmonics is not limited to theoretical sonic analysis. In fact, they greatly affect the performance and auditory experience of music.Depending on the structure and material of the instrument, the generated harmonics will be emphasized or suppressed at different intensities and frequencies, thus forming the unique sound of each instrument.Taking string instruments as an example, when strings are touched to a specific node, particularly treble harmonics can be generated.These notes are higher than the base frequency and have a pure tone of "glass", providing the performer with a unique way of expression.
"Different instruments will react differently to the harmonics of the basic frequency due to their structure and materials, which allows each instrument to create its unique sound quality."
In addition, the physical characteristics of the instrument, such as length, thickness and material, directly affect the generation and intensity of harmonics.For example, long-string string instruments usually produce more high-order harmonics, which makes their tone richer and more layered than shorter string instruments.The sound quality of wind instruments, such as trombone or saxophone, also presents different tones due to the opening and closing of the tuning hole and the length of the tube.
In addition to physical structure, performance skills also have a considerable impact on sound quality.When a musician is playing, he can selectively emphasize certain harmonics and tone through factors such as the pressure of his fingers and the position of his music.For example, when a musician pulls the bow, if the position is slightly adjusted, the sound quality of the instrument can greatly change, making its tone softer or brighter.
"The diversity of tone comes from the exquisite interaction between harmonics and the way of playing, which is a great charm in the art of music."
It is worth noting that not all instruments can rely entirely on harmonic analysis.Some percussion instruments, such as drums, cymbals, etc., produce a large number of non-harmonic components, which makes them play a more vivid role in the music.The tones of these instruments often do not present a clear pitch, but attract the audience with a diverse sound feature.
When exploring the formation of sound quality, we inevitably mention the difference between "tone" and "timbre".Tone involves the height of notes, while tone is a characteristic of the sound quality we hear.Surrounding this topic, there are many musicians and sound engineers who study different instruments, trying to find the essence and unique ways of expressing timbre.
"The existence of harmonics enables each instrument to convey different emotions through its unique tone."
Whether it is classical or modern music, the unique sound quality of musical instruments affects the expression and emotions of music all the time.Every arch and key press of the player creates a unique auditory experience.This makes music have different looks and feelings in the lobby or in the small bar.
With the advancement of technology, electronic instruments and synthesizers have also entered the music stage. Their sound quality is no longer constrained by natural physical properties, but is generated through the processing of digital signals.Against this background, harmonics and their impact on sound quality are triggered again, giving birth to new instrumental tones.So, when we appreciate music, should we think more deeply about the meaning behind each sound and how they affect the overall feeling of the music?
