Transcript 2-4 Quality and Sound

2-4 Quality and Sound
Sound quality is also called timbre
Every sound produced has a fundamental tone
which is the overall pitch or frequency of a tone.
Also along that fundamental tone there can be
higher frequencies called overtones.
Overtones give a sound its identifiable
characteristics. Flute compared to an oboe.
The overtones create a sound’s timbre.
Music vs. Noise
Music has an identifiable pitch (fundamental
tone)
Music has rhythm – a repeating pattern
Music has a pleasing quality (relationship
between the overtones and fundamental tones)
Noise does not have any of the above.
Are there sounds that are neither music nor
noise?
4 Groups of Instruments
Brass – Columns of air are vibrated by lips buzzing.
The longer the column of air the lower the pitch.
Example: Trombone
Woodwinds – Columns of air are vibrated by a reed
or air being blown over an opening.
The longer the column of air the lower the pitch.
Example: Flute
Percussion – a vibration is created by an object
being struck
Pitch can be changed by tightening the membrane that
is being struck.
Example: Snare drum
Stringed instruments – Strings are either rubbed, or
plucked to create a vibration
A higher pitch is produced when the string is thinner,
tightened, or shortened.
Example violin
What group does a piano fit into?