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Why do a flute and a violin sound different on the same note?

Two instruments can play the same pitch without sounding alike. The balance of frequencies and the way a note begins help create its timbre, so one number does not describe the whole sound.

4–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • What does a sound spectrum reveal beyond the fundamental frequency?
  • What can it leave out about the start of a note?

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Music and sound

Who performs the footsteps you hear in a film?

Some screen sounds are performed again during post-production to fit the picture. Foley combines a choice of sound with a choice of timing, so the most useful prop need not be the object shown on screen.

5–7 min

Who performs the footsteps you hear in a film?

Music and sound5–7 minSome screen sounds are performed again during post-production to fit the picture. Foley combines a choice of sound with a choice of timing, so the most useful prop need not be the object shown on screen.

Music and sound

Why can six eighth notes have two different beats?

Six equal subdivisions can be grouped as three pairs or two groups of three. In conventional Western notation, that helps explain the different organization of 3/4 and 6/8 even when the total note value matches.

3–5 min

Why can six eighth notes have two different beats?

Music and sound3–5 minSix equal subdivisions can be grouped as three pairs or two groups of three. In conventional Western notation, that helps explain the different organization of 3/4 and 6/8 even when the total note value matches.

Music and sound

What the piano’s sustain pedal changes

A piano note can keep ringing after the player lifts a finger from the key. On an acoustic piano, the sustain pedal changes what the dampers do, connecting a small foot movement to the sound that remains in the room.

5–7 min

What the piano’s sustain pedal changes

Music and sound5–7 minA piano note can keep ringing after the player lifts a finger from the key. On an acoustic piano, the sustain pedal changes what the dampers do, connecting a small foot movement to the sound that remains in the room.

Why do a flute and a violin sound different on the same note? | Speech Topic | speaking.app