overtonemodussen

Overtonemodussen is a term used in some Scandinavian and Dutch-language music theory discussions to describe the relationship between the overtone (harmonic) series and musical modes. The word combines overtone with mode, reflecting an approach that treats the selection of pitches in a mode as derived from the harmonic spectrum of a fundamental tone.

Conceptually, the overtone series consists of the fundamental frequency and its successive partials at integer multiples, producing pitches such as octaves, fifths, and fourths. In overtonemodussen, a mode is defined not merely by a set of degrees but by their alignment with prominent overtones. Practically, this can mean that the scale emphasizes notes that correspond to stable partials (for example, near 2:1, 3:2, and 4:3 relationships), yielding a distinctive sonority and melodic emphasis shaped by timbre and pitch hierarchy.

The term is not widely standardized in English-language music theory; many writers would discuss related ideas under harmonic series, spectral music, or modal theory rather than using "overtonemodussen." It may appear in ethnomusicology or acoustics contexts when describing cultures or tuning systems in which scales are strongly guided by the harmonic spectrum.

Related topics include the overtone series, harmonic series, modal music, and spectral music.