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Tone ~olor or ifimbre
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The "third basic element of sound" - -
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Even if you play a flute and a clarinet with the same pitch and about the same volume, you will not hear
the same sound. That is because there is still one more distinguishing faetor for souncis besides pitch arid
volume, known as "timbre".
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€1arinet
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When sounds with different timbres are viewed on the oscilloscope, it can be seen that the waveforms them-
selves differ. It is this cjifference in wavefofm'tf:l, a t causes the difference in timbre. Generally speal<ing, rounded
waveforms result in softer ti111J:>r,~s,
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while"'{gointed" ,waveforms result in hard, brilliant timbres. Very basically,
waveforms can be divided .into..it.i), e thrJe types shown in the diagram below - sine ~ waye
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s, saw-tooth waves
and sq~are waves. ,
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Wave form -
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I\Timbre
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Soft
Flute, whistle
v v
me wave
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?. a ~ • t t~oth, wav.e:
Bright '
Violin, trumpet
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L._17.......]
Square wave
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Simple
Clarinet, oboe
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