An overtone is any frequency component of a sound that lies above the fundamental frequency. In most instruments, overtones line up with the harmonics, though they do not have to. For harmonic overtones:
- The 1st overtone corresponds to the 2nd harmonic.
- The 2nd overtone corresponds to the 3rd harmonic, and so on.
Overtones contribute to the timbre of a sound and shape its character. In sounds like bells or cymbals, overtones can include inharmonic frequencies, which adds complexity or dissonance to the tone.
