Fundamental Frequency: Odd Harmonic?

In summary, the fundamental frequency is not considered an odd harmonic, as the first harmonic is the fundamental. The fundamental frequency is the 1st harmonic and is an odd harmonic. The second harmonic is 2 times the fundamental frequency. The zeroth harmonic is also an odd harmonic. The names of the harmonics do not affect their properties, but a waveform with only odd harmonics will appear symmetrical while one with even harmonics will appear asymmetrical.
  • #1
boredaxel
19
0
Is the fundamental frequency considered an odd harmonic? Thanks for any clarification
 
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  • #2
No. Its the fundamental harmonic. Anyways, you start counting from the (n+1) multiple right? So a wave of twice the fundamental frequency would be the first harmonic, thus it can't be odd.
 
  • #3
It's the zeroth harmonic.
Is zero even or odd? Can you divide it by two? Is that a meaningful concept?
 
  • #4
This is the Wikipedia definition of a harmonic:
A harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency, i.e. if the fundamental frequency is f, the harmonics have frequencies 2f, 3f, 4f, . . . etc.

So, the second harmonic is 2 times the fundamental.

But 1 is also an integer and it is an odd number. So, the fundamental is the 1st harmonic and it is an odd harmonic.

This is from Wikipedia's article on overtones:
Frequency... Order ...Name 1 ...Name 2 ...Name 3
1 · f = 440 Hz...n = 1...fundamental tone 1st harmonic ...1st partial
2 · f = 880 Hz...n = 2 ...1st overtone...2nd harmonic ...2nd partial
3 · f = 1320 Hz...n = 3 ...2nd overtone ...3rd harmonic ...3rd partial
4 · f = 1760 Hz ...n = 4 ...3rd overtone ...4th harmonic...4th partial
 
  • #5
Woops - I meant zeroth overtone. Which I think is what chaoseverlasting was referring to. He was injecting his own special bit of chaos :-)

You are, of course, correct that the first harmonic would have to be the fundamental.
So anyway, who cares? Does the name you give it affect its properties?

What you can say about odd and even harmonics is that a waveform consisting only of odd harmonics (including 1st) will look symmetrical whereas one with a fundamental plus even harmonics will look asymmetrical.
 
  • #6
Ah, sorry. I missed that. Thank you for correcting me.
 

1. What is fundamental frequency?

Fundamental frequency, also known as the first harmonic, is the lowest frequency of a periodic wave. It represents the base pitch or tone of a sound and determines the perceived pitch of a sound.

2. What are odd harmonics?

Odd harmonics are frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency, where the number of the harmonic is an odd integer (1, 3, 5, etc.). They are important in sound because they contribute to the timbre or quality of a sound.

3. How are odd harmonics produced?

Odd harmonics can be produced by certain musical instruments, such as string instruments, where the vibrating string produces a fundamental frequency and its odd multiples. They can also be produced by electronic devices, such as amplifiers and oscillators.

4. What is the relationship between fundamental frequency and odd harmonics?

The fundamental frequency and odd harmonics have a mathematical relationship where the frequency of the nth odd harmonic is n times the fundamental frequency. This means that the higher the fundamental frequency, the higher the odd harmonics will be.

5. How do odd harmonics affect the sound of an instrument?

Odd harmonics contribute to the timbre or quality of a sound. They can change the tone of an instrument, making it sound brighter or more complex. The relative amplitudes of the odd harmonics also play a role in the overall sound quality of an instrument.

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