Prelude
The Art of Music


 

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7

Timbre

Timbre (pronounced "tamber"), also called tone color, is the element that deals with the quality of sound produced by varying instruments or voices. Each sound, each musical instrument, each voice, has its own individual quality. Note that timbre is also one of the basic properties of sound. Tone colors are almost impossible to describe, although we try with descriptive adjectives such as bright, warm, brassy, harsh or delicate. Nevertheless, timbre is one of the most easily recognized musical elements. Even though a listener might not be able to identify the sound of instruments by name, everyone can hear the difference between the smooth, vibrant sound of the violins, the bright sound of trumpets and the thump of drums.

       
 

Examples of timbre

  Violins:  

Trumpet:  

Timpani: