Define Multiphonics

Question

Define Multiphonics

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Multiphonics is a term used in music to describe the technique of producing multiple distinct pitches simultaneously on a musical instrument. This technique is most commonly associated with wind instruments, such as the saxophone, clarinet, flute, and brass instruments, but it can also be applied to string instruments and the human voice.

In wind instruments, multiphonics are achieved by using unconventional fingerings, altering the embouchure, or overblowing. The musician manipulates the instrument in such a way that it produces more than one pitch at a time, often resulting in complex and dissonant harmonies. This is possible because the air column inside the instrument can be made to vibrate at multiple frequencies.

Multiphonics can be notated in various ways in musical scores, and the specific techniques to produce them can vary greatly between different instruments and players. The use of multiphonics is particularly prevalent in contemporary classical music and jazz, where musicians and composers explore the extended techniques of their instruments to create new sounds and textures.

Define Multiphonics

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