But the most striking fact about sound is that a mixture of several distinct frequencies never combines to produce just one intermediate pitch such as could be produced by one intermediate frequency. To a large extent the superposed pitches are perceived separately – though simultaneously – especially by highly musical persons. The admixture of many higher notes (‘overtones’) of various qualities and intensities results in what is called the timbre (German: Klangfarbe), by which we learn to distinguish a violin, a bugle, a church bell, piano … even from a single note that is sounded.
