Piano key frequencies

This is a list of the absolute frequencies in hertz (cycles

per second) of the keys of a standard modern 88-key
piano in twelve-tone equal temperament, with the 49th
key, the fth A (called A4), tuned to 440 Hz (referred to
as A440). Each successive pitch is derived by multiplying An 88-key piano, with the octaves numbered and Middle C
(ascending) or dividing (descending) the previous by the (cyan) and A440 (yellow) highlighted.
twelfth root of two (approximately 1.05946...). For example, to get the frequency a semitone up from A4 (A4),
multiply 440 by the twelfth root of two. To go from A4 3 External links
to B4 (up a whole tone, or two semitones), multiply 440
twice by the twelfth root of two. For other tuning schemes
interactive piano frequency table A php script alrefer to musical tuning.
lowing the reference pitch of A4 to be altered from
440 Hz.
This list of frequencies is for a theoretically ideal piano.
1

On an actual piano the ratio between semitones is slightly

larger, especially at the high and low ends, where string
stiness causes inharmonicity, i.e., the tendency for the
harmonic makeup of each note to run sharp. To compensate for this, octaves are tuned slightly wide, stretched according to the inharmonic characteristics of each instrument. This deviation from equal temperament is called
the Railsback curve.

Notefreqs A complete table of note frequencies

and ratios for midi, piano, guitar, bass, and violin.
Includes fret measurements (in cm and inches) for
building instruments.

f (n) = ( 2 )n49 440 Hz

(a' = A4 = A440 is the 49th key on the idealized piano)
Alternatively, this can be written as:

440 Hz

Conversely, starting from a frequency on the idealized piano tuned to A440, one obtains the key number by:
(
n = 12 log2

f
440 Hz

List

See also

"Keyboard and frequencies", SengpielAudio.com.

12

n49
12

PySynth A simple Python-based software synthesizer that prints the key frequencies table and
then creates a few demo songs based on that table.

The following equation gives the frequency f of the nth

key, as shown in the table:

f (n) = 2

)
+ 49

Piano tuning
Scientic pitch notation
Music and mathematics
1

A printable version of the chart below.

EXTERNAL LINKS

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

4.1

Text

Piano key frequencies Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano%20key%20frequencies?oldid=631713479 Contributors: Michael

Hardy, Modster, MatrixFrog, Hydnjo, Hyacinth, Morn, LucasVB, Antandrus, MakeRocketGoNow, Zowie, Discospinster, Smyth, Kwamikagami, Quinobi, Xojo, Alansohn, Yamla, Woodstone, Kenyon, Kbdank71, Wahoove, Missmarple, Cactuar12, AJR, Glenn L, YurikBot,
Chris Capoccia, Supersoakerjim, Tlevine, CQ, AndrewWTaylor, Melchoir, Unyoyega, Bluebot, Octahedron80, Nomenclator, MDCollins,
LMF5000, TedE, Just plain Bill, Matthew hk, Rigadoun, Highonlife, NongBot, Fuzzbox, Rainwarrior, Noah Salzman, H, Meithan, Carboncopy, Prof. MagneStormix, Edokter, Qwerty Binary, Joelthesecond, Nono64, Tem142857, TXiKiBoT, JhsBot, SieBot, Harrismdpilmpl,
, ClueBot, Binksternet, Obelix83, Copyeditor42, Hrdinsk, Computer97, Delt01, Markmain, Addbot, Accuruss, Tuanglen, Cyndaquazy, Shadowjams, Prari, Princess Lirin, ClueBot NG, Egm4313.s12, TwoTwoHello, AlwaysAngry, RicardAnufriev, Garettracey and
Anonymous: 70

4.2

Images

File:Music-glissando.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Music-glissando.png License: CC-BY-SA-3.0

Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Piano_Frequencies.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Piano_Frequencies.svg License: CC BY-SA
3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: AlwaysAngry
File:Piano_key_frequencies.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Piano_key_frequencies.png License:
CC BY-SA 1.0 Contributors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_key_frequencies Original artist: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_key_
frequencies

4.3

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