Final answer:
Removing the fundamental frequency alters the quality of a tone, but not necessarily its pitch. The pitch is determined by the fundamental frequency, while the timbre is influenced by the presence of both fundamental and overtone frequencies. Different instruments have unique sounds due to variations in their structure and overtone production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question concerns the concept of frequency in sounds and how it relates to the perceived pitch of a tone. When it comes to musical instruments and the human voice, both the fundamental frequency and overtones contribute to the overall sound. The fundamental frequency is usually the most intense and establishes the pitch of the note. Overtones, which are higher frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, add richness and timbre to the sound. Removing the fundamental frequency can indeed change the tone's quality but does not necessarily change the perceived pitch. For example, the trombone is known to produce sound through its overtones and not the fundamental frequency, highlighting how instruments can vary in their production of sounds.
Two tubes with the same fundamental frequency but different physical structures (one open at both ends and the other closed at one end) will produce different overtones, resulting in different sounds. This principle extends to musical instruments, where different shapes and methods of sound production create unique timbres, leading to the characteristic voices of different instruments despite them playing the same pitch.