Harmoniske

Harmoniske, or harmonics, refer to the components of a periodic waveform whose frequencies are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency. In acoustics and music, these harmonics form the harmonic series, which largely determines the timbre and perceived pitch of a note. The fundamental is the first frequency, while the higher harmonics occur at 2f, 3f, 4f and so on.

In musical instruments, the harmonic series describes how overtones naturally occur in vibrating bodies such as strings, air columns, and membranes. The relative strengths of these partials give each instrument its characteristic sound. Musicians and instrument makers can emphasize or suppress certain harmonics through playing technique, construction, or resonance, producing bright, mellow, or complex tones.

Artists also produce harmonics intentionally. Natural harmonics are created by touching a string at nodal points, isolating higher partials, while artificial harmonics use specific fingerings and finger positions to produce desired overtone content. On wind and brass instruments, the instrument’s design and embouchure determine which harmonics are accessible and how a note is colored.

In engineering and signal processing, harmonics are the multiples of a base frequency found in a waveform. Harmonic distortion arises in nonlinear systems when additional harmonics are generated, and it is commonly quantified by total harmonic distortion (THD). Fourier analysis is used to identify and measure harmonic content in signals.

Historically, the harmonic series has informed theories of tuning and consonance. Just intonation aims to align intervals with simple integer ratios, while equal temperament adjusts pitches to function across keys, balancing harmonic relationships with practical keys and modulations.