Harmonics

I did a little reading on "harmonics" and the "harmonic series". I play the guitar, so this is good stuff for string instrument players, especially, to understand. Basically, I am understanding that most of the sounds we hear are complex. A sound oscillates, or vibrates at multiple frequencies for even one note. If the frequencies are integers of a fundamental frequency, they produce sounds that are harmonics of each other.

An integer of something means simply that if the fundamental frequency is 25Hz, that 2 x 25Hz, 3 x 25Hz and so on, would produce the harmonics for that particular wave. Conversely, if a wave is oscillating at partials/frequencies that are not integers of each other, the sound is referred to as inharmonic and not so pleasing to the novice ear.

The way that our ear discerns the different styles of sound or timbre (ie: the difference between the flute and the clarinet playing the same note), is the result of the relative strengths of each individual frequency making up the sound.