Wolf

Term used for two unpleasing sound effects that may occur in performance. On keyboard instruments tuned in certain systems, the interval E♭-A♭ has to be represented by E♭-G#, which may be unpleasantly ill-tuned (the chord is supposed to resemble the howling of a wolf). In some instruments, a faulty note due to an irregularity in resonance is called a ‘wolf note’; it is found on many string instruments (usually, on a cello, arounde or f) and on certain horns and bassoons.