OVERTONE

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Any discrete frequency component in a SPECTRUM other than the FUNDAMENTAL. HARMONICs and PARTIALs are often called overtones; that is, overtones may be harmonic or INHARMONIC. However, it should be noted that the first overtone corresponds to the second harmonic in the HARMONIC SERIES.

Perceptually, an overtone is any PITCH component in a complex sound, such as that produced by an organ, violin or horn.

Compare: AURAL HARMONICS, COMBINATION TONES, FORMANT, SIDEBAND, SUBHARMONIC, TONE. See also: CRITICAL BAND, TIMBRE, VOLUME.

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