National Board Music Practice Exam 2025 - Free Music Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

Non-harmonic overtones are best defined as those that are not integral multiples of the fundamental frequency. This means that these overtones do not align with the simple integer ratios that define harmonic series, which typically produce consonant sounds when played together.

In the context of sound and acoustics, the fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency of a sound wave, and harmonic overtones are those frequencies that are exact multiples of that fundamental frequency (e.g., 2 times, 3 times, etc.). Non-harmonic overtones, on the other hand, can include a variety of pitches that do not adhere to this integer multiple rule, leading to more complex and often dissonant sounds.

This distinction is important in music and acoustic theory, as non-harmonic overtones can contribute to the timbre or color of a sound, supporting the creation of texture and richness in music that is not necessarily straightforward or predictable.