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6.1.5 Overtones and the C Chord: Inside the C Major Triad's Overtone Series
Have a look at Table 35 below. When you play a C chord, here’s what the music modules in your brain actually pick up and process (fundamental and strongest overtones):
- The “C” fundamental, together with a series of overtones, including C itself (repeated several times as an overtone), plus the notes E and G.
- The “E” fundamental, together with a series of overtones, including E itself (repeated several times as an overtone), plus the notes G♯, and B.
- The “G” fundamental, together with a series of overtones, including G itself (repeated several times as an overtone), plus the notes B, D, and other overtones.
TABLE 35 Fundamental and First Five Overtones of the C Chord
| Tone / Overtone |
Multiple of Fundamental |
Freq. Ratio |
Associated Scale Degree |
C Major Triad | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | E | G | ||||
| Fundamental | 1 (f) | 1 : 1 | 1 | C | E | G |
| 1st Overtone | f x 2 | 1 : 2 | 1 | C | E | G |
| 2nd Overtone | f x 3 | 2 : 3 | 5 | G | B | D |
| 3rd Overtone | f x 4 | 1 : 2 | 1 | C | E | G |
| 4th Overtone | f x 5 | 4 : 5 | 3 | E | G♯ | B |
| 5th Overtone | f x 6 | 2 : 3 | 5 | G | B | D |