A note is a sound of definitive pitch, the basic unit in music.
Music notes are classified by their note name or musical note and these notes match up to a particular frequency (Hz) that portrays the number of vibrations per second.
For example, 1 Hz = 1 vibration per second.
Music notes to frequencies chart
In this chart, A = 440Hz
Our chart matches musical notes to pitch frequencies in hertz starting from 16.35 Hz (C0).
To determine what D flat is in terms of Hertz, you will find the relevant note in the first column, simply locate your preferred octave to the right within the same row to find the respective Hz.
The 12 semitones on an equal temperament chromatic scale have frequencies from about 16.35 Hz (C) to 24,000 Hz (B) however the human ear can only hear frequencies from 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. The range of audible sound is divided into specific ranges for the purposes of measurement and identification. The lowest frequency we can hear (20 Hz) would be considered “low bass,” while the highest audible frequency (20,000 Hz) would be called “high treble.”
Book recommendation
Learn more about frequency & notes.
Everybody Hertz By Richard Mainwaring
Why match musical notes to frequencies?
This handy chart can be used in a variety of ways. For example, it may assist you as a mix engineer during the mixing process to identify low-end frequency notes and balance them across your sound spectrum in order to clean your mix. It could also be helpful when dealing with unwanted resonating frequencies. For example, in recordings of acoustic instruments like vocals, there could be some resonating sounds that would disrupt the audio when mixing vocals.
Drummers are also likely to find value in matching notes to frequencies, which helps them tune their drums and percussion pieces into harmonic cohesion with the song’s key signature. It’s another thing drummers need to consider, despite drums already being one of the hardest instruments to learn.
Guitarists sometimes seek note frequencies for several reasons. 1. Knowing the frequency of each note helps tune the guitar accurately. 2. Alternative tunings need specific frequencies for each string. 3. Guitarists should use hertz to adjust even the best guitar tuners for precise tuning.
What is a frequency?
A frequency is a measurement of Hz which refers to the number of vibrations per second.
How do I calculate the frequency of a note?
There are two ways to calculate the note frequency of a note. The first is by counting and dividing the number in Hertz (Hz) from 1200, this would be written as “1200 Hz” or “1200.” The second method for calculating note frequencies is using the octave scale where there are twelve notes per octave, which range from 200-2000 Hz.
What is an equal tempered scale?
An equal-tempered scale refers to a type of frequency scale where all the notes have been mathematically adjusted to sound in harmony with each other throughout the entire musical range.
What is a tone generator?
You can generate a tone or signal from a digital or analog device. These are known as tone generators. The analog generators are known as signal generators.
You can play with an online tone generator here.
These signal generators can align your frequency.
Common instruments and their frequencies
Piano
- Piano middle C is 261.63 Hz.
- The lowest note on a standard piano is A0 at 27.5 Hz.
- The highest note on a standard piano is C8 at 4186 Hz.
- How many keys does a standard piano have? 88 keys.
Guitar
- The standard tuning of a guitar low E string is 82.41 Hz.
- The standard tuning of a guitar high E string is 329.63 Hz.
- How many frets does a typical guitar have? 20–24 frets.
- What is the frequency of a guitar’s G string in standard tuning? 196 Hz.
Violin
- The standard tuning of the violin G string is 196 Hz.
- The highest note playable on a violin is ~3520 Hz (four octaves above A4).
- How many strings does a violin have? Four strings.
Double Bass
- The lowest note of a standard double bass is E1 at 41.2 Hz.
- How many strings does a double bass have? Four strings (sometimes five).
- Can a double bass play higher than its tuning? Yes, with harmonics or by shifting positions.
Flute
- The lowest note on a standard concert flute is C4 at 261.63 Hz.
- The highest note on a concert flute is C7 at 2093 Hz.
- What is the frequency of a flute's middle C? 261.63 Hz.
Trumpet
- The trumpet’s lowest note in standard tuning is F#3 at 185 Hz.
- How many valves does a standard trumpet have? Three valves.
- What is the trumpet’s range in terms of frequency? ~185 Hz (F#3) to ~1174 Hz (C6).
Saxophone
- The lowest note of an alto saxophone is Bb3 at 233 Hz.
- The highest note of an alto saxophone is F#6 at 1480 Hz.
- How many keys does a saxophone have? Typically 21 keys.
Clarinet
- The lowest note on a standard B♭ clarinet is D3 at 146.83 Hz.
- The clarinet’s highest note is ~C7 at 2093 Hz.
- What is the clarinet’s transposition? B♭ clarinet sounds a major second lower than written.
Trombone
- The lowest note on a standard tenor trombone is E2 at 82.41 Hz.
- How many slide positions does a trombone have? Seven positions.
- What is the trombone’s highest note? Typically around Bb5 at 932 Hz.
Cello
- The lowest note on a cello is C2 at 65.41 Hz.
- The highest note on a cello is ~A5 at 880 Hz (depending on player skill).
- How many strings does a cello have? Four strings.
Bagpipes
- What is the standard pitch of the Great Highland Bagpipes? Around 466 Hz (close to B♭).
- How many drones do traditional Highland bagpipes have? Three drones.
- What is the range of a typical bagpipe chanter? Approximately one octave plus one note (nine notes total).
Ukulele
- What is the tuning of a standard soprano ukulele? G4, C4, E4, A4.
- How many strings does a ukulele have? Four strings (sometimes six or eight for variants).
- What is the range of a soprano ukulele? ~C4 (261.63 Hz) to A5 (880 Hz).
Accordion
- What is the range of a standard accordion? Depends on the model, typically C3 (130.81 Hz) to A6 (1760 Hz).
- How many buttons or keys does a piano accordion have? Usually 41 keys and 120 bass buttons.
- What is the pitch of the accordion’s middle C? 261.63 Hz.
Harmonica
- What is the standard tuning of a diatonic harmonica? Major scale (e.g., C major for a C harmonica).
- How many holes does a standard diatonic harmonica have? 10 holes.
- What is the frequency of the harmonica’s blow note on hole 1 in C tuning? C4 at 261.63 Hz.
Recorder
- What is the range of a soprano recorder? C5 (523.25 Hz) to D7 (2349 Hz).
- How many holes does a recorder have? Eight holes (seven for fingers, one for the thumb).
- What is the pitch of the lowest note on a soprano recorder? C5 at 523.25 Hz.
Synthesizers and Keyboards
- What is the frequency range of a standard synthesizer? Typically 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
- How many keys does a full-size synthesizer have? Usually 61, 76, or 88 keys.
- What is the pitch of middle C on a synthesizer? 261.63 Hz.
Marimba
- What is the lowest note on a concert marimba? Usually C2 at 65.41 Hz.
- What is the highest note on a marimba? Typically C7 at 2093 Hz.
- How many octaves does a standard marimba have? 4.3 to 5 octaves.
Xylophone
- What is the lowest note on a standard xylophone? Typically F4 at 349.23 Hz.
- What is the highest note on a xylophone? Usually C8 at 4186 Hz.
- What material are xylophone bars made of? Typically wood (e.g., rosewood) or synthetic materials.
Timpani
- What is the tuning range of a 32-inch timpani? Typically D2 (73.42 Hz) to A2 (110 Hz).
- How many timpani are in a standard set? Four drums of different sizes.
- What is the lowest note a timpani can play? ~D2 at 73.42 Hz.
Organ
- What is the lowest note on a pipe organ? C0 at 16.35 Hz (on a 32-foot pipe).
- How many stops does a typical organ have? Varies widely, often 20–30 on smaller organs and 100+ on larger ones.
- What is the highest note on a pipe organ? C8 at 4186 Hz.
Banjo
- What is the tuning of a standard 5-string banjo? Open G tuning: G4, D3, G3, B3, D4.
- What is the frequency of the banjo’s high G string? 392 Hz.
- How many strings does a standard banjo have? Five strings (sometimes four or six).
Mandolin
- What is the standard tuning of a mandolin? G3, D4, A4, E5 (in pairs).
- What is the range of a mandolin? ~G3 (196 Hz) to E7 (2637 Hz).
- How many strings does a mandolin have? Eight strings (four pairs).
Bass Guitar
- What is the frequency of the lowest string on a bass guitar? E1 at 41.2 Hz.
- How many strings does a standard bass guitar have? Four strings (sometimes five or six).
- What is the tuning of a 5-string bass guitar? B0, E1, A1, D2, G2.
Didgeridoo
- What is the frequency range of a didgeridoo? Typically 40–70 Hz for the drone.
- How long is a typical didgeridoo? Around 3–5 feet (1–1.5 meters).
- What is the pitch of a standard didgeridoo? Usually around C2 to E2 (65–82 Hz).
Steel Drums (Steel Pans)
- What is the range of a tenor steel pan? C4 (261.63 Hz) to F6 (1397 Hz).
- How many notes does a tenor steel pan have? Around 29–32 notes.
- What is the material of a steel drum? Typically made from 55-gallon steel oil barrels.
Oboe
- The lowest note on an oboe is Bb3 at 233 Hz.
- The highest note on an oboe is A6 at 1760 Hz.
- What is the oboe’s role in an orchestra? It provides the tuning reference pitch.
- How many reeds does an oboe use? It uses a double reed.
English Horn
- The lowest note on an English horn is E3 at 164.81 Hz.
- The highest note on an English horn is C6 at 1046.5 Hz.
- What is the English horn’s relation to the oboe? It is a larger, lower-pitched member of the oboe family.
Bass Clarinet
- The lowest note on a bass clarinet is Eb2 at 77.78 Hz (with standard keywork).
- The highest note on a bass clarinet is C6 at 1046.5 Hz.
- How many keys does a bass clarinet typically have? Around 24 keys.
Piccolo
- The lowest note on a piccolo is D5 at 587 Hz.
- The highest note on a piccolo is C8 at 4186 Hz.
- How does a piccolo compare to a flute? It plays one octave higher than a standard flute.
Contrabassoon
- The lowest note on a contrabassoon is Bb0 at 29.14 Hz.
- The highest note on a contrabassoon is Bb4 at 466.16 Hz.
- How many keys does a contrabassoon have? Typically 25–28 keys.
Euphonium
- The lowest note on a euphonium is Bb1 at 58.27 Hz (in standard tuning).
- The highest note on a euphonium is typically around Bb4 at 466.16 Hz.
- How many valves does a euphonium have? Usually 3 or 4 valves.
Baritone Saxophone
- The lowest note on a baritone saxophone is A♭2 at 103.83 Hz (or C2 at 65.41 Hz with a low A key).
- The highest note on a baritone saxophone is F6 at 1396.91 Hz.
- How many keys does a baritone saxophone have? Typically 21 keys.
Contrabass Clarinet
- The lowest note on a contrabass clarinet is Bb0 at 29.14 Hz.
- The highest note on a contrabass clarinet is E5 at 659.25 Hz.
- How many keys does a contrabass clarinet have? Around 24–28 keys depending on the model.
Bass Flute
- The lowest note on a bass flute is C3 at 130.81 Hz.
- The highest note on a bass flute is C6 at 1046.5 Hz.
- How does a bass flute differ from a concert flute? It is pitched one octave lower.
440hz vs 432hz tuning?
An equal-tempered note is mathematically adjusted to sound the same as all other notes, but this means that it isn’t a “perfect” note. The 440hz note has an A in its overtone series with 49 cycles per second (cps) which is where we get our pitch of middle-C. However, 432hz also has an A with 64 cps and overtones at 315 Hz and 247.94 Hz leading it up to a higher frequency than 440Hz on both ends!
Benefits to tuning at 432hz:
More natural note, as it is mathematically based on the overtone series of A and all corresponding notes. Easier note transitions when playing instruments that are tuned lower than 440Hz (e.g. bass guitar vs violin).
Learn more audio terms here.