What is the concept of overtones?

• A. Specific acoustic property of sound (can be harmonic or non-harmonic)
• B. The fundamental frequency
• C. The amplitude range
• D. The tempo

Answer: (A)

Overtones are the frequencies that lie above the fundamental pitch in a sound and contribute to its timbre. They can form a harmonic series, where each overtone is an integer multiple of the fundamental, or be inharmonic, depending on the instrument. This makes the statement that overtones are a specific acoustic property of sound that can be harmonic or non-harmonic the most accurate description.

The fundamental frequency is the base pitch itself, not the overtones. The amplitude range relates to how loud or soft the sound is, not its frequency content. Tempo concerns timing and speed, not the overtone structure.