Why does sound produced by one musical instrument sound different from sound of the same pitch and amplitude produced by another instrument?

Answer 1

Sound coming from Musical Instruments is very complex and can be thought of as an infinite sum of sine waves of different frequencies. The pitch that you hear and identify is called the fundamental frequency. However, the tone, or sound quality, of an instrument is characterized by the harmonic frequencies it emits which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The fundamental frequency is much louder than the harmonics which is why you hear it as a single pitch. Different instruments emit different levels of harmonic frequencies when sounding and thus produce different tones. For example, brass instruments tend to produce odd-integer harmonics while woodwind instruments tend to produce even integer harmonics. Also some characteristics like the dying volume and frequency in a guitar distinguishes it from that of a any other instrument. This happens because initially, when the string is plucked, it oscillates more, that is its length increases more as it reaches the extreme points. Thus at that instant, the tension is more as compared to a few oscillations later. The frequency thus dies down along with the volume. Violin has a different characteristic sound owing to its constant volume and frequency, provided the person moves the bow at same speed and force.

Answer 2

Because they are different sizes and materials. Also, they aren't all played the same way.

and they are different
Every instrument has its own timbre (tam-ber). Timbre is how an instrument sounds. A Flute sounds like a flute. Not a Trombone. Instruments have their own timbre because of how they are made, how they are pitched, and how they are played.

Answer 3

its simple. because of its size. the size bends the sound waves so they go faster or slower.