Frequency

Frequency

Scientific Concept Musical Concept Pitch Sound Wave Hertz

Frequency refers to the rate at which a sound wave vibrates, expressed in **Hertz (Hz)** — cycles per second. It is the fundamental physical property that determines the perceived pitch of a sound.

Frequency and Pitch

There is a direct relationship between frequency and Pitch:

• Higher frequency = higher perceived pitch
• Lower frequency = lower perceived pitch

For example:

• A₄ = 440 Hz
• A₃ = 220 Hz
• A₅ = 880 Hz

Each octave corresponds to a **doubling** of frequency.

Role in Music

• Frequencies define the tuning of notes in a Scale.
• Musical intervals are based on frequency ratios (e.g., 3:2 for a perfect fifth).
• Accurate frequency standards are essential for orchestral tuning, recording, and synthesis.

Related Terms

• Pitch — perceptual counterpart of frequency
• Hertz — unit of frequency
• Tuning System — organizes frequencies across instruments
• Sound Wave — physical carrier of frequency in air

See also

• Pitch
• Tuning System
• Hertz