Timbre is the quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds. It is often described in terms of brightness, darkness, warmth, or harshness. Timbre is determined by the overtones present in a sound, which are frequencies that are higher than the fundamental frequency.
Tessitura is the range of pitches that a voice or instrument can comfortably produce. It is typically measured in octaves and semitones. Tessitura is determined by the length and structure of the vocal cords or the size and shape of the instrument.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between timbre and tessitura:
| Feature | Timbre | Tessitura |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds | Range of pitches that a voice or instrument can comfortably produce |
| Determined by | Overtones | Length and structure of the vocal cords or the size and shape of the instrument |
| Described in terms of | Brightness, darkness, warmth, or harshness | Octaves and semitones |
In general, timbre is more closely related to the sound of an instrument or voice, while tessitura is more closely related to the range of pitches that can be produced.