Timbre

1. Timbre

2. What is Timbre?? • The quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments • In simple terms, timbre is what makes a particular musical sound different from another, even when they have the same pitch and loudness

3. An instruments timbre is what gives us the ability to distinguish between them by just listening • Timbre is not pitch, loudness, or length of instruments, but how they sound • You can distinguish the difference by just hearing a flute and trumpet because of the timbre

4. Here are some terms that people use when describing an instruments timbre or tone quality: •Reedy •Brassy •Clear •Focused or unfocussed •Breathy •Rounded •Piercing •Strident •Harsh •Warm •Mellow •Resonant •Dark or Bright •Heavy or Light •Flat •Having much, little, or no vibrato (a controlled wavering in the sound); or narrow or wide, or slow or fast, vibrato What are some other names to describe timbre??

5. Timbre In Vocal Music • Vocal timbre is the color and quality of your voice • Everyone has their own natural sound that is distinct to themselves • A man’s timbre is different than a woman’s timbre • Describe some of the differences between men and women’s timbre

6. Timbre In Choral Music • Choirs also have distinct timbres • Most of the time a choir’s timbre is determined by the type of sound the directors likes and desires • Describe some differences in timbre in regards to Choral music