Inharmonic

Describing a sound or system of sounds that lacks the harmonious relationships characteristic of a musical scale or chord. It refers to the presence of overtones that are not integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, leading to a dissonant or complex sound quality. Inharmonicity is common in instruments like bells, gongs, and struck objects, where the natural resonances don't adhere to the simple mathematical ratios that produce consonance. It can also arise from electronic signal distortion or deliberately chosen sound design.

Inharmonic meaning with examples

• The resonant clang of the metal pipe exhibited a distinctly inharmonic character. Instead of ringing with clean, bell-like tones, it produced a complex tapestry of frequencies. This made it difficult to discern a clear pitch, giving a percussive and somewhat unsettling sound.
• The synthesized sound design employed in the track focused heavily on inharmonic timbres. The unconventional waveforms and modulation techniques generated sounds far removed from standard musical intervals, resulting in an unsettling and unique electronic landscape.
• When the bell was struck, the resulting sound was very inharmonic due to the complex shape of the instrument. Its overtones weren't simple multiples, causing a rich, chaotic, and less melodious sound.
• The engineer noticed the audio waveform display was showing the effects of inharmonic distortions. This unexpected behavior suggested a potential issue with the equipment impacting the sound's quality by making it unstable.
• Modern composers often explore the aesthetic potential of inharmonic sounds. By incorporating these sounds intentionally into their pieces, they seek to create a sense of tension, unease, and a more modern artistic landscape.