$1,000,000 problem :: Music :: Sound of the clarinet  
         
     

The higher harmonics are different in the clarinet to the violin. This accounts for the different sound.

Because the clarinet is open at one end, the sine waves that fit into the clarinet must be open at one end.

The harmonics of the clarinet are therefore of the following shape:

So when we add these harmonics to the fundamental note, we see the square picture of the sound wave of the clarinet appearing.

 
 
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