If you're new to making music, these concepts will probably seem intimidating and overly technical. However, this information is vital to know if you want to have a lifelong and sustainable career in the industry. At the very least, knowing what these terms mean will help you out when you're inevitably working with a producer in the studio. In this article we'll dive into the definitions of these terms so that you can arrive prepared to any important studio session and better relate to your fellow musicians.
Pitch
The first one is simple! Pitch is what makes your favorite songs sound magical and captivating. Essentially, pitch refers to the high or low notes in a piece of music or in someone's voice. And guess what? It's all about the frequency of soundwaves produced by your instrument or voice. Higher frequency means higher pitch. Exciting right? Go ahead, play around with some notes and see the magic of pitch in action.
Tone
Any sound you hear has a unique quality to it called 'tone'. It's like the fingerprint of a sound that distinguishes it from others. If a sound has only one frequency, it's a simple tone – like the sound of a tuning fork. But as we add more frequencies, we start getting complex tones, which is several simple tones layered on top of each other. These are called partial tones. As the complexity increases further, we end up with overtones – the secret ingredient that gives sound its richness! More on those below.
Overtones
Have you ever wondered how different instruments can play the same note, yet sound completely different from one another? That's where complex tones come in. These are made up of the fundamental frequency (the pitch we hear when a note is played) and a series of overtones (higher frequencies that compliment the fundamental frequency and give the pitch its unique sound). These overtones help us distinguish between instruments, as each one produces a different series of them. In different words, overtones are all of the pitches higher than the lowest pitch within an individual sound. The fundamental frequency (or known simply as the 'fundamental') will always be the lowest pitch.
Timbre
Timbre is like the personality of a sound - each one has its own unique characteristics that make it stand out. Think of it like this: if pitch is the note a sound is hitting and loudness is how powerful it is, then timbre is the distinctive flavor that makes it identifiable. Even when the same pitch is being played, you can tell the difference between a flute and cello because of their different timbres. Some common ways to describe timbre are words like "tinny", "breathy", "clean" and "bright". This is one of the broadest ways of describing a particular sound and points to the sounds most obvious characteristics.
Technique
Mastering the art of music requires more than raw talent. Technique is the secret ingredient that turns ordinary notes into a symphony of sounds. It's the ability to command your instrument and your voice to create music that touches people. To perfect your technique, you need to devote yourself to practicing. Whether you play the guitar or the piano, there are a plethora of exercises that will train your muscles and sharpen your agility. Ever heard of the 10,000 hour rule? (This states that it takes 10,000 hours devoted to your chosen art form in order to become a master.) But that's not all. You need to hone your ear as well. Ear training is a vital part of technique. It enables you to decipher notes and chords, and fine-tune your instrument so that your music resonates as precisely as you desire. Technique encompasses a multitude of areas in music, and it's the foundation that allows musicians to play gracefully.
Texture
Have you ever wondered what makes a song sound so good? It's all about the texture. Texture is like the secret ingredient that determines the quality of sound in a composition. Picture a cake - even the simplest ones have layers of flavors that all come together to make it delicious. Similarly, a song has layers of instruments and vocals that create its texture. The more instruments and voices, the thicker the texture, while fewer make a thinner texture. There are also different types of textures that can be used, such as monophonic, biphonic, and homophonic, making every song unique. Don't worry though, there's no need to get into these more complex terms when you are just getting started.
In Conclusion
That about wraps it up! Music can appear to be deceptively simple, but the deeper down the rabbit hole you go, the more you realize how much there is to know. This article provides you with a great jumping off point. Good luck out there!
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