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A musical instrument is usually classified as either Wind, String or Percussion. The figure shows the first six |
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harmonics of a vibrating string. The relative amplitudes of the harmonics will depend on how the string is set into vibration (plucking, bowing or striking) the position and strength of the applied force. |
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The table shows part of the harmonic series for several different wind and string instruments. An open-ended organ pipe (flue pipe) generates the full harmonic series (frequency ratios 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 etc.). An organ pipe closed at one end will only generate odd harmonics (frequency ratios 1 : 3 : 5 : 7 etc.). |
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The second column of the table shows that harmonics of Wind and String instruments have a simple mathematical relationship to the lowest pitch or 1st harmonic. |
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