Timbre (of a musical instrument)

The timbre of a musical instrument is the distinctive quality of its sound, which sets it apart from other instruments. This includes characteristics such as pitch, intensity, duration and spectrum (the frequencies that make up sound). For example, the timbre of a violin is different from the timbre of a saxophone, even though they play the same note at the same pitch. The timbre of an instrument is influenced by many factors, such as the shape and size of the instrument, the materials used to make it, the way it is played (for example, with or without vibrato), and the effects sound used (for example, reverb or distortion). The timbre of an instrument can also change depending on the pitch of the note played, and some instruments have timbres that are more characteristic than others (for example, the deep, round sound of the tuba is easily recognizable).