Principle

If one plays a note, e.g. the concert pitch A, on different instruments, it will sound different from instrument to instrument. This is called the tone colour or timbre. Since every instrument has a typical tone colour, this particular tone colour can be recreated with electronic tone generators, e.g. synthesizers or keyboards.

In this experiment, the students examine the frequency spectra of their voices and of two instruments. They learn that the various overtone spectra are responsible for the different tone colours (timbres) while the fundamental tones determine the pitch. In addition, they try to simulate the sound of an instrument with a sequence of pure tones.

Benefits


Experiment is part of an experiment set with a total of 22 experiments about generation, propagation and perception of sound, oscillations and waves

Particularly appropriate as an experiment for first contact with physics in general

With graphic student worksheets

With detailed instructor information

Optimized for tight schedules, i.e. minimum preparation time required


Tasks

Examine the tone colour of different tones in this experiment. Analyse the frequency spectrum of your voice. Compare the tone colours of various different instruments. Simulate the sound of an instrument with the PC.

What you can learn about


Concert pitch

Tone colour

Timbre

Frequency spectrum

Overton spectrum

Fundamental tone