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Note Frequency Formula:
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The note frequency formula calculates the frequency of a musical note based on its distance in semitones from the reference note A4 (440 Hz). This formula is based on the equal temperament tuning system used in Western music.
The calculator uses the frequency formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula uses exponential calculation where each semitone represents a frequency ratio of the 12th root of 2 (approximately 1.05946).
Details: Accurate frequency calculation is essential for musicians, instrument tuners, audio engineers, and music theorists to understand musical intervals, tune instruments precisely, and work with audio frequencies in production and analysis.
Tips: Enter the number of semitones from A4. Positive values for notes higher than A4, negative values for notes lower than A4. For example, C5 would be +3 semitones, while G4 would be -2 semitones.
Q1: Why is A4 used as the reference note?
A: A4 at 440 Hz has been internationally standardized as the concert pitch reference for musical tuning since the 20th century.
Q2: How do I find the semitone value for a specific note?
A: Each note in the chromatic scale is one semitone apart. A4 is reference (0), A#4/Bb4 is +1, B4 is +2, C5 is +3, etc., going downward: G#4/Ab4 is -1, G4 is -2.
Q3: What if I want to calculate frequency for a different reference pitch?
A: You can modify the formula by replacing 440 with your desired reference frequency (e.g., 432 Hz instead of 440 Hz).
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise for equal temperament tuning, which is the standard tuning system for most Western music.
Q5: Can this formula be used for microtonal music?
A: Yes, the formula can be adapted for microtonal systems by changing the denominator (12) to match the number of divisions per octave in your tuning system.