Mon Prof Augmenté
Flute and Clarinet Ripples
Age 17 · Music
A flute and a clarinet play the same note at the same pitch, yet they sound different. Each instrument adds its own set of faster ripples on top of the repeating wave, and the ear receives both bundles.
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In the picture
- Flute tube: the source of one bundle of wave lines
- Clarinet tube: the source of the other bundle of wave lines
- Large ear: where both bundles arrive and are compared
- Extra smaller ripples: faster waves added inside the clarinet’s bundle
- Repeating spacing: the matching distance between the large ripples in both bundles
Examples
- A flute and an oboe playing the same note in an orchestra
- Two singers holding the same note but sounding like different voices
Key takeaways
- Instruments playing the same pitch differ because of the extra higher-frequency waves mixed in with the fundamental.
- The mix of harmonics is what gives each instrument its own timbre.
Quiz: Flute and Clarinet Ripples (Age 17)
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According to the card, why do two instruments playing the same note at the same pitch not sound identical?
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According to the card, what gives an instrument its own timbre?
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According to the card, when a flute and a clarinet play the same pitch, what is the same in their sound waves?
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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