Overtones are the higher frequencies produced when an object vibrates, in addition to the fundamental frequency, which is the lowest pitch. When a musical instrument, like a guitar or a piano, is played, it generates a series of overtones that contribute to the overall sound quality, known as timbre. These overtones are essential for distinguishing different instruments, even when they play the same note. In music theory, overtones are often categorized into harmonic and non-harmonic overtones. Harmonic overtones are whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency, while non-harmonic overtones do not follow this pattern. Understanding overtones is crucial for musicians and sound engineers in creating and manipulating sound.