PSYC56H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Fundamental Frequency, Perfect Fourth, Sound Pressure
Document Summary
When the sine waves of a complex periodic wave are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, then we say that the wave is made up of a harmonic series. Most pitched sounds are complex periodic waves that are made up of harmonic series. A periodic wave will have spectrum with equally-spaced frequencies. An aperiodic wave will have a spectrum with unequally-spaced frequencies. The increment between frequencies is not the same. Fundamental frequency is the tallest amplitude (bar), but not always. The lowest frequency component of a harmonic set is called the fundamental frequency. Fundamental period is the time for one cycle at the fundamental frequency. The fundamental frequency is unique to every instrument. Just know the different names for different sequences. We can have an infinite harmonic, but we can only hear up to 6. Here are some instruments playing the same fundamental frequency (440 hz)
