About Harmonics and Overtones

Harmonics are a natural occurring vibration phenomenon. With each vibration multiples of the fundamental are created in addition at the same time. This is an universal occurrence in nature, whether it relates to sound or other forms of vibration. The simple proportions of the Harmonic Scale reveals the geometry of sound and vibration.

Harmonics are usually also called Overtones when they are related to sound phenomenons that we are able to perceive. Overtone singing is a technique to filter out single harmonics from the spectrum of the human voice. With this technique a singer can create the illusion of singing with to voices simultaneously.

The clip below from the documentary film “Raum Klang Stimme – Space Sound Voice” shows a basic introduction to Harmonics and Overtone singing.

The Harmonic Scale

The image below pictures the Harmonic scale up to the 32nd Harmonic and their proportions  in relation to the fundamental.