Fundamental Frequency

Fundamental Frequency The first harmonic (lowest frequency) of a musical sound; the basic identifying vibration that determines the pitch of the sound. Fundamentals of very low frequency, like the lowest C on a piano keyboard, are not reproducible in certain recording systems. However, the pitch of a sound may be supplied by the human hearing mechanism even when the fundamental is inaudible. This is done by perception of the second harmonic (i.e., the first overtone), which has twice the…