Mon Prof Augmenté
Same Note, Different Sound
Age 14 · Music
When a violin, a flute, a trumpet and a piano play the same note, they still sound different. This difference is called timbre, and it comes from the overtones in the sound and from how the sound starts and fades.
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In the picture
- Violin: a rich mix of overtones gives a sharp, jagged wave
- Flute: few overtones give a smooth, rounded wave
- Trumpet: strong overtones give a bright, bold wave
- Piano wave: a sudden attack that slowly fades away
Examples
- A guitar and a singer holding the same note are easy to tell apart.
- You recognise a friend’s voice on the phone even when they say the same word as someone else.
Key takeaways
- Timbre is why two instruments playing the same note sound different.
- Overtones and the way a sound starts and fades shape timbre.
Quiz: Same Note, Different Sound (Age 14)
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What is timbre?
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What shapes the timbre of a sound?
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A violin and a flute play the same note, but the violin sounds sharper and richer. Why?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
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