Timbre composition is the art of creating new
timbres. It is often performed electronically, either by combining
sine wave
A sine wave, sinusoidal wave, or just sinusoid is a curve, mathematical curve defined in terms of the ''sine'' trigonometric function, of which it is the graph of a function, graph. It is a type of continuous wave and also a Smoothness, smooth p ...
s (
additive synthesis
Additive synthesis is a sound synthesis technique that creates timbre by adding sine waves together.
The timbre of musical instruments can be considered in the light of Fourier series, Fourier theory to consist of multiple harmonic or inharmoni ...
) or by filtering out
harmonics from more complex waves (
subtractive synthesis).
Timbre composition is also significant for players of the
electric guitar. The guitarist's relative proximity to his or her amplifier alters the sound produced. The sound can be modified further via
equalizers,
filters
Filter, filtering or filters may refer to:
Science and technology
Computing
* Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming
* Filter (software), a computer program to process a data stream
* Filter (video), a software component tha ...
, and various
effects pedals.
Timbre composition with acoustic instruments is usually very subtle. Minute altercations in performance change the sound produced by the instrument. Percussionists use specific sticks and mallets to yield desired timbres. Players of
wind instruments
A wind instrument is a musical instrument that contains some type of resonator (usually a tube) in which a column of air is set into vibration by the player blowing into (or over) a mouthpiece set at or near the end of the resonator. The pitc ...
alter the tone simply by changing the pressure of their lips. One could argue that the act of choosing which instrument to play or write for is in itself timbre composition.
Timbre composition is used in vocal techniques such as
throat-singing where the main focus of the music is timbre as opposed to pitch.
Music that has been composed solely using the art of Timbre composition is called Timbre-centered music.
Timbral listening Timbral listening is the process of actively listening to the timbral characteristics of sound.
Concept
In timbral listening, "pitch is subordinate to timbre". Instead, the specific quality of a musical tone is determined by considering "the prese ...
is a technique used in both the composition and reception of Timbre-centered music which has been created using Timbre composition.
Notable composers working on this genre include
Helmut Lachenmann,
Panayiotis Kokoras
Panayiotis Kokoras ( el, Παναγιώτης Κόκορας; born 1974, Ptolemaida) is a Greek composer and computer music innovator. Kokoras's sound compositions use timbre as the main element of form. His concept of "holophony" describes his ...
,
Iancu Dumitrescu.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Timbre Composition
Musical composition
Timbre