Topmusicanswers
The reason the same musical note sounds different when played on various instruments is because the harmonic overtones and envelope of each instrument is unique. When a frequency is played, other frequencies, called harmonics, are created. Each instrument has a unique harmonic character.
- Why does sound produced by one musical instrument differ from the sound of the same pitch and amplitude produced by another instrument?
- Are notes the same for all instruments?
- What causes the same note played on a guitar and a piano to have a different sound?
- Why notes of the same pitch played on a violin and flute has different quality?
Why does sound produced by one musical instrument differ from the sound of the same pitch and amplitude produced by another instrument?
If a clarinet and a piano play notes of the same pitch and loudness, the sounds will still be quite distinct. This is because musical instruments do not vibrate at a single frequency: a given note involves vibrations at many different frequencies, often called harmonics, partials, or overtones.
Are notes the same for all instruments?
Short answer: No. The difference you see in the sheet music is that for guitar you use the G clef and pianos use both the G and F clefs. This is not much of a difference except for the visual part. The notes are notes all the same.
What causes the same note played on a guitar and a piano to have a different sound?
The main factor that causes different sounds in an instrument is the harmonic frequencies and overtones that an instrument outputs on notes, with other factors such as material affecting this factor. A vibrating string does not produce a single frequency, but a mixture of fundamental frequencies and overtones.
Why notes of the same pitch played on a violin and flute has different quality?
Tone & Harmonics
A violin also sounds different than a flute playing the same pitch. This is because they have a different tone, or sound quality. When a source vibrates, it actually vibrates with many frequencies at the same time. ... Sound quality depends on the combination of different frequencies of sound waves.
