Up to this point in the series we’ve focused on characterising each sound with a single frequency representing its pitch. In today’s article we’ll consider the other frequencies present in musical sounds.

Compound frequencies, harmonics, blah blah blah!

Right?

No; actually in the real world, most sounds are made up of more than one frequency. We’ll forgo the actual full-on physics formula for sound creation, as that is way past our scope here…BUT…what IS of importance is that most sounds have a blend, or ratio, of multiple frequencies that resonate to create the sound that you hear. Hence the term ‘compound’ frequencies.

Harmonics

Now, speaking of this resonance business; all of the frequencies contained in a sound except for the main (‘fundamental’ or ‘dominant’) frequency are called harmonics. Usually, they are found at precise multiples of the main frequency. The pattern is this: Click to read the rest…

Before you put the blame on your lack of singing skills to quitting high school choir, you might want to check out your hearing. Years of drumming, jamming in a rock band, or working as a sound tech can wreak havoc on your hearing. While medical hearing tests can check how well your ears compare to a specific standard, Tone Tester has the musician in mind and checks how well your ears can detect one pitch from another.

Many people don’t realize that when they play the note B flat, their right ear may detect B flat while their left ear identifies it as closer to B natural – a difference of up to one semitone! Click to read the rest…

Welcome back to our frequency training series. If you’re new to the series, you may want to go back and start from the introductory overview to frequency training. If you aren’t really familiar with the parts of a standard drum kit, check out this overview before you read on.

Ahh….metallic percussion! (Cymbals, hi-hats, rides, bells, etc.) They can be the final seasoning to the overall rhythm sound of our drum kit. Or….they can be the most annoying assortment of clanging cacophonous racket that can only find an equal among banging and clanging trash can lids!

And what is the deciding factor? Click to read the rest…