In music, inharmonicity is the degree to which the frequencies of the overtones of a fundamental differ from whole number multiples of the fundamental's frequency. These inharmonic overtones are often distinguished from harmonic overtones, all whole number multiples, by calling them partials, though partial may also be used to refer to both. Since the harmonics contribute to the sense of sounds as pitched or unpitched, the more inharmonic a sound the less definite it becomes in pitch. Many percussion instruments such as cymbals, tam-tams, and chimes, create complex and inharmonic sounds. Strings are less inharmonic the closer they are to their breaking points, and the amount inharmonicity is thus an important consideration for piano tuners. Sine waves of various frequencies; the lower waves have higher frequencies than those above. ... An overtone is a sinusoidal component of a waveform, of greater frequency than its fundamental frequency. ... A fundamental is something basic and important which other things are built upon. ... The integers consist of the positive natural numbers (1, 2, 3, …) the negative natural numbers (−1, −2, −3, ...) and the number zero. ... In acoustics and telecommunication, the harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. ... An overtone is a sinusoidal component of a waveform, of greater frequency than its fundamental frequency. ... In music, pitch is the perception of the frequency of a note. ...

See also: pseudo-octave. A pseudo-octave is an interval whose frequency ratio is not 2:1, the definition of an octave, but is treated in some way or ways equivalent to this ratio. ...

External links

• Pitch Paradoxical