Musical intervals are characterised by harmonic ratios. This means an harmonic ratio

is associated with each interval. These ratios, to varying degrees of approximation, show up between string lengths, pipe lengths, and in other contexts where musical intervals are involved.

They do not, however, define musical intervals acoustically, except in an approximate way that "leaves out" much of the information that actually determines how a musical interval sounds, in terms of its tone, intonation, pitches, etc.

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