Final answer:
One musical note differs from another fundamentally through its timbre, which is the quality or color of the sound that allows different instruments to be distinguished even when they play the same note. Timbre is affected by the complex relationships between frequencies such as the fundamental and overtones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fundamental way in which one musical note differs from another is through its timbre. Timbre is sometimes referred to as the tone quality or color of a sound and is what enables us to distinguish between different instruments playing the same note at the same pitch and volume.
The timbre of a sound is a complex attribute that involves the interplay of various frequencies, including a fundamental tone and overtones. These attributes of sound waves give instruments and voice their unique sonic fingerprint.
Frequency, on the other hand, defines the pitch of a sound and is measured in Hertz (Hz). Pitch allows us to perceive whether one sound is higher or lower than another.
For instance, the middle C note on a piano will have a different timbre than the middle C on a violin, even though the frequency is the same. Loudness or volume, measured in decibels, is yet another quality of sound and describes the intensity level of the sound. Lastly, the duration of a sound refers to how long the sound or note is held.