How does sound have “texture”? How does a piano sound different from a clarinet when they play the same tone?

Question

How does sound have “texture”? How does a piano sound different from a clarinet when they play the same tone?

In: Physics

Answer 1

When a tone is played, there are several harmonic frequencies that also play. Kinda like how a mother duck walks and her ducklings follow, the dominant frequency leads the tone (and is the one we hear and identify most) with harmonics being more subtle underneath. Different materials create different harmonic frequencies. These harmonics are what create the individual textures of the sound.