Need help understanding harmonic series and intervals
so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
and last question,
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?
Much much thanks folks!
Seery
theory
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
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Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
and last question,
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?
Much much thanks folks!
Seery
theory
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
and last question,
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?
Much much thanks folks!
Seery
theory
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
and last question,
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?
Much much thanks folks!
Seery
theory
theory
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
asked 3 hours ago
SeerySeery
162
162
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
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What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.
The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.
In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?
The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).
Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?
It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.
The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.
In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?
The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).
Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?
It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
add a comment |
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.
The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.
In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?
The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).
Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?
It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
add a comment |
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.
The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.
In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?
The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).
Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?
It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?
I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.
The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.
In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.
Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?
The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).
Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?
They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.
Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?
It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
answered 3 hours ago
topo mortotopo morto
27.5k246111
27.5k246111
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.
– Seery
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
@Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.
– phoog
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.
– Seery
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Seery is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Seery is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Seery is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Seery is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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