Timbre

Sound Characteristics

• Timbre, or the quality of sound, helps distinguish between different sounds, even if they have the same pitch and loudness.
• Sound is a mixture of sound waves occurring at different frequencies, which travel towards the ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate.

Noise

• Noise is a subjective phenomenon, considered as undesirable sound by the brain.
• What one person considers noise, another person might find pleasant (e.g., a child playing the violin).

Loudness and Pitch

• Loudness is the strength of the sound, measured by the amplitude (height) of the sound waves.
• Large amplitudes produce loud sounds, while small amplitudes produce quiet sounds.
• Pitch deals with the frequency of sound wave vibrations.
• Low-pitched sounds vibrate slowly (e.g., tuba), while high-pitched sounds vibrate rapidly (e.g., piccolo).

Differentiating Sounds

• Loudness and pitch are not the only characteristics that distinguish between sounds.
• Instruments vibrate at many different frequencies, known as harmonics.
• The fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency of sound waves and is usually the loudest sound.
• Higher frequency harmonics are referred to as overtones.
• The relative pitch and loudness of harmonics and overtones give a sound its unique quality or timbre, allowing us to tell one sound from another.