Question about first harmonics and first partial

[ImHis]

Hi,

 

Can someone please help me?

 

I'm confused why the first harmonic and first partial are the same thing. Why not just call both 1 term? What is a harmonic and what is a partial?

 

I've looked at youtube videos and not one has defined why they are called those terms. What's harmonic about the fundamental frequency? What is the fundmanetal frequency a partial of?

 

Thanks!

[GeoDUDE!]

The first harmonic refers to the first fundamental node where the length of the standing (or sound, for example) wave is double the length of the medium it passes through. So say for example you have a string that is 10 inches, the first harmonic would have a wavelength of 20 inches.  It also produces the lowest possible frequency in a complex sound.

 

A partial is a periodic wave that describes a sound. A harmonic partial, are sets of waves that comprise a fundamental frequency. This is why the first harmonic = first partial, since in the first fundamental only half a wave appears in the medium you are measuring the wave.

 

 

All of your questions can be answered by reading this wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_series_(music)

Edited May 22, 2014 by GeoDUDE!

[ImHis]

Thank you!