http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strings_(music)
From Wiki on string vibration:
String vibration
Main article: Vibrating string
A string vibrates in a complex harmonic pattern. Every time a string is set into motion, a specific set of frequencies resonate based on the harmonic series. The fundamental frequency is the lowest (and loudest), and it is determined by the density, length and tension of the string. This is the frequency that we identify as the pitch of the string. Above that frequency, overtones (or harmonics) are heard, each one getting quieter the higher it is. For example, if the fundamental pitch is 440 Hz (A above middle C), the overtones for an ideal string tuned to that pitch are 880 Hz, 1320 Hz, 1760 Hz, 2200 Hz, etc. The note names for those pitches would be A, A, E, A, C#, etc. Due to the physical nature of the strings, however, the higher up the overtones go, the more out of tune (or "false") they are to the fundamental. This is an important consideration for piano tuners, who try to stretch the tuning across the piano to keep overtones more in tune as they go up the keyboard.
So from what it says, when you hit a single string, you will effectively be generating A C# and E notes all at once? That would make a A chord. Seems suspicious because, if that is the case, If I finger the notes A C E and strike that chord it would produce:
A is A C# E
C# is C# F G#
E is E G# B
So I'd hear A C# E F G# B or A major 9 add #5?
"Nothing...can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts."
Not exactly, Dennis.
String vibration is complicated. You hear MOSTLY the 'fundamental' (the lowest note in the harmonic series - the one you play), but you also hear little bits of the higher frequencies (the 'overtones'). Each of these makes up a part of the complex sound, so they're also called 'partials', whether they're fundamentals or overtones.
But your ear won't hear the individual overtones, except in one situation, which I'll get to in a bit. Instead, we hear a blended result, with the fundamental much stronger than the overtones. The overtones cause what we commonly call 'tone' :)
The combination of overtones, and their intensity (or volume) compared to each other is what lets our ears tell the difference between a guitar and a piano, or a flute, or a kazoo. At a finer level, they let us hear the differences between two different guitars, or between two different techniques on one instrument - you'll sound 'tinny' if you pick close to the bridge, because it changes the distribution of overtones.
The one situation where you'll hear the overtone clearly is when you dampen the fundamental. When we play harmonics, that's what we're doing - touching the string kills off the fundamental vibration, but allows the higher frequencies to ring out.
Overtones are also the reason power chords sound better than 'full' chords when you play with distortion... but the reasons for that get even more complicated!
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