Editing Multiphonic (section)

== How multiphonics work ==

In general, when playing a wind instrument, the tone that comes out consists of the ''fundamental''&mdash;the pitch usually identified as the note being played&mdash;as well as pitches with frequencies that are [[integer]] multiples of the frequency of the fundamental. (Only pure [[sine wave]] tones lack these overtones.) Normally, only the fundamental pitch is perceived as being played.

By controlling the air flow through the instrument and the shape of the column (by changing fingering or valve position), a player may produce two distinct tones not part of the same [[harmonic series (music)|harmonic series]].
<!--someone who is actually a physicist should expand this-->