Harmonic Topics

• arnold dreyblatt
• eerie quality
• harmonic frequencies
• fundamental frequency
• harmonics
• string players
• string instruments
• double bass
• human voice
• cello
• node
• pitch

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Harmonic, Harmonic

For example, if the fundamental frequency is f , the harmonics have frequencies f , 2 f , 3 f , 4 f , etc. The harmonics have the property that they are all periodic at the fundamental frequency, therefore the sum of harmonics is also periodic at that frequency. Harmonic frequencies are equally spaced by the width of the fundamental frequency and can be found by repeatedly adding that frequency. For example, if the fundamental frequency is 25 Hz, the frequencies of the harmonics are: 25 Hz, 50 Hz, 75 Hz, 100 Hz, etc.

The extended technique of playing multiphonics also produces harmonics. On string instruments it is possible to produce very pure sounding notes, called harmonics or flageolets by string players, which have an eerie quality, as well as being high in pitch.

For example, lightly fingering the node found half way down the highest string of a cello produces the same pitch as lightly fingering the node 1/3 of the way down the second highest string. For the human voice see Overtone singing, which uses harmonics.

Composer Arnold Dreyblatt is able to bring out different harmonics on the single string of his modified double bass by slightly altering his unique bow technique halfway between hitting and bowing the strings.

Source: Wikipedia > Harmonic