timbre
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
tim′·bral (-brəl) adjective
timbre
Synonyms
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.
Browse dictionary entries near timbre
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