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What are harmonics in music?

In music, harmonics are the frequencies that accompany the fundamental frequency of a sound. They are created when the sound wave resonates with other objects, such as the walls of a room or the strings of a guitar. Harmonics can be heard as overtones, which are the higher-pitched sounds that are heard above the fundamental frequency.

Harmonics are an important part of music because they add richness and complexity to the sound. They can be used to create different timbres and textures, and they can also be used to create melodies and harmonies.

The study of harmonics is called harmonic analysis. Harmonic analysis can be used to determine the frequency of a sound, the number of harmonics that are present, and the amplitude of each harmonic. This information can be used to create new sounds and to understand how music works.

Here is a more detailed explanation of harmonics:

* The fundamental frequency of a sound is the lowest frequency that is present in the sound. It is the pitch that is heard when the sound is played.

* Harmonics are the higher-pitched frequencies that are present in the sound. They are created when the sound wave resonates with other objects, such as the walls of a room or the strings of a guitar.

* The number of harmonics that are present in a sound is determined by the shape of the sound wave. A sound with a simple waveform, such as a sine wave, will have only a few harmonics. A sound with a complex waveform, such as a square wave, will have many harmonics.

* The amplitude of each harmonic is determined by the amount of energy that is present at that frequency. The louder a harmonic is, the more noticeable it will be in the sound.

Harmonics can be heard in all types of music, from classical music to rock music. They are an essential part of music because they add richness and complexity to the sound.

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