Consider the following diagrams, excerpted from Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 1 (Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved). The harmonic overtone series is described in both musical and scientific terms in the diagrams below.
Discussion Questions
- Why is the science of the harmonic overtone series important for understanding theory?
- How can students benefit from the mathematical knowledge of the harmonic overtone series?
- Is the harmonic overtone series intuitive to understand? Why or why not?
The resources below provide additional sources of information for learning about harmonics and the overtone series:
Auditory Demonstration of Harmonics
- YouTube Video
- Audio Recordings
Math of Harmonics & Tuning Systems
- Mathematical Formulas
- Appendices of Where Does Sound Come From? Volume 2
- Graphs
- Appendices of Where Does Sound Come From? Volumes 1, 3, & 4
Additional Science of Music Publications
Several book series from Schottenbauer Publishing focus on the science of music. These include the following books, which contain samples from typical Western strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments, plus voice and conducting:
- Where Does Sound Come From? A multi-volume series with data on sound, plus appendices with calculations on the science of music
- How Do You Play That Thingamabob? The Science of Music Performance A multi-volume series on the forces and motion required for producing sound
- The Science of Music: An Anthology of Graphs A concise collection of graphs illustrating central concepts
- Bow Science & Exercises for the Violin & Viola A series of books containing practical science, applied directly to exercises
These educational tools can be integrated into music education curricula from late elementary school through high school and college/university. Additional information is available on the Schottenbauer Publishing website, and from the links below. A free pamphlet from the publisher is also available on the website.
