Harmonic Spectrum

A harmonic spectrum describes the fundamental and all the related frequencies that make up a sound or signal, especially in music and acoustics. When an object like a guitar string or a vocal cord vibrates, it produces a primary tone called the fundamental frequency. Additionally, it generates higher frequencies called harmonics or overtones, which are integer multiples of the fundamental. The collection of these frequencies forms the harmonic spectrum, revealing the sound's character and richness. Analyzing this spectrum helps us understand how sounds are composed and why they sound different, even if they share the same pitch.