Timbreis the combination of fundamental frequency, harmonics, and overtones (the strum of a guitar is the tone and the succeeding vibrations heard are overtones). It gives each voice, musical instrument, and sound effect its unique coloring and character.
When an object vibrates, it propagates sound waves of a certain frequency. This frequency, in turn, sets in motion frequency waves called harmonics. The basic frequency and its resultant harmonics determine the timbre of a sound. The greater the number of harmonics, the more interesting is the sound that is produced. It is the ability of an object to vibrate and set up harmonics that determines the pleasantness of the resultant sound. The strum of a sitar sets up harmonics that are more pleasant than the harmonics of an ordinary rubber band. The combination of fundamental frequency and its harmonics is a complex wave form.
