Need help understanding harmonic series and intervals












1















so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..



What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?



Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?



and last question,



Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?



Much much thanks folks!



Seery










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    1















    so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..



    What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?



    Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?



    and last question,



    Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?



    Much much thanks folks!



    Seery










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      1












      1








      1








      so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..



      What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?



      Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?



      and last question,



      Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?



      Much much thanks folks!



      Seery










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      so i need some clarification as this is confusing me terribly..



      What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?



      Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale? Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?



      and last question,



      Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals? How does that process work exactly?



      Much much thanks folks!



      Seery







      theory






      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question






      New contributor




      Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      asked 4 hours ago









      SeerySeery

      162




      162




      New contributor




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      New contributor





      Seery is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






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      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















          1 Answer
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          active

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          3















          What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?




          I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.



          The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.



          In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.




          Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?




          The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).




          Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?




          They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.




          Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?




          It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

            – Seery
            2 hours ago











          • @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

            – phoog
            1 hour ago











          • So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

            – Seery
            1 hour ago












          Your Answer








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          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes








          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          3















          What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?




          I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.



          The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.



          In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.




          Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?




          The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).




          Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?




          They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.




          Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?




          It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

            – Seery
            2 hours ago











          • @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

            – phoog
            1 hour ago











          • So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

            – Seery
            1 hour ago
















          3















          What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?




          I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.



          The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.



          In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.




          Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?




          The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).




          Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?




          They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.




          Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?




          It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

            – Seery
            2 hours ago











          • @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

            – phoog
            1 hour ago











          • So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

            – Seery
            1 hour ago














          3












          3








          3








          What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?




          I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.



          The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.



          In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.




          Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?




          The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).




          Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?




          They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.




          Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?




          It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.






          share|improve this answer














          What are the first 12 harmonic series of a fundamental (Lets say A (440hz)?




          I assume you mean the first 12 harmonics in the harmonic series.



          The theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series is simply the multiples of 440 - 440, 880, 1320... and so on. 12 * 440 is 5280.



          In real life, the few instruments actually have overtones following a perfect harmonic series - partly though design, as it sounds very boring and flat.




          Do those harmonic series of the fundamental pertain to every note in an equal temperament scale?




          The overtone structure of a note determines what the timbre of the sound is. Different notes played on the same instruments often have slightly different overtone structures. In most cases, they will have a strong correlation with the theoretical 'perfect' harmonic series, but this depends on all sorts of factors (such as how the instrument is played).




          Such as if we use A as the fundamental, do the notes B,C,D,E,F,G exist in the harmonic series of A?




          They do, but in some cases at frequencies much higher than the fundamental. In a note played by a real instrument, those overtones might be entirely absent, or very quiet. On the other hand, there might be lots of overtones present in the sound of a note that don't relate directly to the frequencies of other notes in the scale.




          Could you explain to me in a simplified manner, how we take a fundamentals harmonic series and turn them into intervals?




          It sounds like you've got the impression that musical scales and intervals are derived in a direct way from the harmonic series, but that isn't really the case. It is true that the important notes in some scales correlate with the frequencies of what are often strong overtones, but other harmonics will be present that don't correlate with notes in the scale.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 3 hours ago









          topo mortotopo morto

          27.5k246111




          27.5k246111













          • Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

            – Seery
            2 hours ago











          • @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

            – phoog
            1 hour ago











          • So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

            – Seery
            1 hour ago



















          • Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

            – Seery
            2 hours ago











          • @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

            – phoog
            1 hour ago











          • So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

            – Seery
            1 hour ago

















          Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

          – Seery
          2 hours ago





          Understood. So how then are scales formed from a physics standpoint? I was under the impression that scales were created from the harmonic series but you don't believe thats the case? My goal here basically is to understand the source of scale creation.

          – Seery
          2 hours ago













          @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

          – phoog
          1 hour ago





          @Seery many people ascribe to this theory that the scale is derived from the harmonic series, but that is a huge overstatement. If you're taking a theory class, though, the teacher might want you to learn this theory. Just be aware that it really doesn't explain everything. For example, if you're building a C-major scale, F is not in the harmonic series of C; rather, C is in the harmonic series of F.

          – phoog
          1 hour ago













          So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

          – Seery
          1 hour ago





          So in your mind, how are scales formed from a physics standpoint exactly? Thank you.

          – Seery
          1 hour ago










          Seery is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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