klangfarbe

/ ˈklɑːŋˌfɑːbə /

noun

1. often capital instrumental timbre or tone colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of klangfarbe¹

German: tone colour

Example Sentences

The term Tone-color is formed by analogy with the German Klangfarbe, an expression apparently due to the feeling that the sound-qualities of speech have somewhat the same function as the various colors in a picture.

From Project Gutenberg

What is the nature of this element of our vocabulary—this Klangfarbe, this Timbre?

From Project Gutenberg

"If I could paint over them the color each shade of sound represents," Mr. Skale resumed, "the tint of each timbre, or Klangfarbe, as the Germans call it, you would see better still how we are all grouped together there into a complete and harmonious whole."

From Project Gutenberg