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timbre Definition

tim·bre (tam′bər; also, tim′-; Fr tan′br')

noun

the characteristic quality of sound that distinguishes one voice or musical instrument from another or one vowel sound from another: it is determined by the harmonics of the sound and is distinguished from the intensity and pitch

Etymology: Fr, timbre, earlier, sound of a bell < MFr, ball struck by a hammer < OFr, a kind of drum < LGr tymbanon < Gr tympanon: see tympan

timbre Related Forms
tim′·bral (-brəl) adjective
timbre Synonyms

timbre

n.

tone, tonality, resonance, intonation, overtone; see also pitch 3.

timbre Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • bell: Dominates the timbre of bells rung in rapid sequence.
  • instrument: The mixture of tones determines the timbre of a musical instrument.
  • voice: A quartet of clarinets, the instrument is often described as most similar to the timbre of the natural voice.
  • sound: Dynamic variations in frequency spectrum are known to have an important effect on the timbre of sounds.

Converse of object

  • create: Stockhausen used close analysis of sound to compose with sine waves to create timbres.
  • change: The eviction of Labor from chunks of suburban England has changed the timbre of the PLP.
  • have: She has a musical timbre far beyond her years.
  • use: They play a variety of sounds on percussion instruments and learn how to use timbre and duration to add variety to their rhythmic ideas.
  • produce: The mutation produces a good solo timbre, a kind of cornet substitute.
  • contrast: Create a question and answer melody, with two parts using contrasting timbres.

Adjective modifier

  • instrumental: Some have even commented on the difference in the sounds - i.e. the difference in the instrumental timbre.
  • vocal: The vocal timbre is full of rich bass tones which can become almost hypnotic at times.
  • musical: She has a musical timbre far beyond her years.
  • rich: His voice, with its extremely distinctive dark, rich timbre at any rate rather defies categorisation.
  • different: They were in different key, they had a different timbre.
  • distinctive: Return to menu Exploring Timbre Mellow, tinny, blaring... each instrument has its own distinctive timbre, or tone color.

Modifies a noun

  • change: The introduction of the silks with the timbre change was handled particularly well, including a strong accent.
  • composition: The instruments we have inherited are not suitable to the new timbre composition.

Noun used with modifier

  • instrument: Remember that real instruments timbre often change with volume.
  • synth: The Electribe A is the classic analog " tweak " box, designed with powerful dual synth timbres.