When the FREQUENCY of an OVERTONE is not an integer multiple of the FUNDAMENTAL, the overtone is said to be inharmonic and is called a PARTIAL; its WAVEFORM is aperiodic.
Instruments of the percussion group, bells, and gongs in particular, have overtones which are largely inharmonic. As a result, such sounds may have indefinite or multiple PITCHes associated with them.
Compare: HARMONIC, PERIODIC, SUBHARMONIC. See: SPECTRUM, TIMBRE.
Sound
Example: Bronze gamelan
instrument.
Sound Example: Chinese tam-tam.Sound Example: Large cathedral bell, Salzburg, Austria.
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