How do harmonics and overtones for a given fudamental tone differ from each other?
1 Answer
Overtones are any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency, while harmonics are overtones that are exact integer multiples of the fundamental.
Explanation:
Overtones are any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency.
Harmonics are overtones that are exact integer multiples of the fundamental.
For various (usually physical dimension related) reasons different musical instruments produce overtones that are often not quite exact integer multiples of the fundamental, although they are usually quite close.
This produces slightly variable phase relationships and gives the instrument its "tone" or "voice".
Some instruments can produce overtones that are not close to the harmonics of the fundamental frequency. I think some drums and cymbals can do this.
