How is a "partial" tone defined in music?

A "partial" tone, often referred to as a partial or overtone, is a frequency that is a whole number multiple of a fundamental frequency, contributing to the timbre or color of a sound. In musical acoustics, the fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency of a sound wave, and the partial tones present above it are produced when an object vibrates in a non-uniform manner.

These partials include the first harmonic (fundamental), second harmonic (octave above), third harmonic (a perfect fifth above the first harmonic), and so on. The specific combination of these harmonics defines the quality of the sound, allowing us to distinguish one instrument from another even if they play the same note. The presence of these partials is crucial in understanding music theory and sound production, allowing musicians and composers to manipulate sound creatively.

The other options describe concepts that do not align with the definition of a partial tone. For example, a rhythmic pattern does not pertain to pitch or timbre, a single note refers to a singular pitch without consideration of the harmonics, and a composing error does not relate to tone characteristics.