432 Hz vs 440 Hz - a recurring comparison

Music doesn't just affect our psyche. Music can also speed up or slow down internal functions such as heart rate, affect blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even promote the processing of food. But are the benefits of vibrations the same at all frequencies? Today we're looking specifically at 432 Hz vs 440 Hz and relating this specifically to sound drums.

Sound engineers, musicians, acoustic physicists and scientists have long been debating which tuning standard is the "right" one: 432 Hz vs. 440 Hz for A4. Actually, the debate seems to be over, because 440 Hz has been the common tuning standard in most parts of the world for several decades.

Nevertheless, there are a number of audio enthusiasts, both mavericks and true advocates, who prefer 432 Hz or at least wish that this alternative standard would be better accepted by today's ears. At Sonodrum, the standard tuning for sound drums is 440 Hz.

Nonetheless, we are open to the argument that 432 Hz might be better for meditation than 440 Hz. That's why we're going to cover the debate in detail here today: 432 Hz vs 440 Hz. Enjoy reading!

What is Hertz?

If you like to make music or listen to it a lot, you've probably heard of "Hertz" (abbreviated to Hz). The unit Hertz is simply the unit in which frequency is measured. Everything has a frequency, but Hertz is used in practice when it comes to measuring things that have more than one frequency.

Hertz (named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz) is a measure of one complete wave cycle per second in the form of a frequency. Most often, what is measured is electrical oscillations. Music consists of waveforms that oscillate at different frequencies.

How do you measure Hertz in music?

A sound pressure wave repeats itself. A drum beat has a much lower frequency than, for example, blowing a whistle. The lower the frequency, the fewer vibrations there are. High frequencies create more vibrations. A person with normal hearing can hear sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Frequencies above 20,000 Hz are called ultrasound. When your dog tilts his head to listen to seemingly imaginary sounds, he is tuning in to ultrasonic frequencies as high as 45,000 Hz.

​​​​At the other end of the spectrum are very low frequencies (below 20 Hz), known as infrasound. Elephants use infrasound to communicate, producing sounds that are too quiet for the human ear to hear.

You can measure the sound waves of music with a device called a spectrum analyzer or frequency counter. Even general devices like digital multimeters can be used for this purpose. If you search for apps in the app store, you will find options like Audio Frequency Counter and Spectroid, which are "real-time" audio spectrum analyzers that use your phone's microphone to convert the sound waves and display the frequency. Here you can also quickly decide: 432 Hz vs 440 Hz - which do you like better?

What is 432 Hz?

We are talking about the topic 432 vs 440 Hz , or rather, music 432 Hz vs 440 Hz , and we should definitely look at the frequencies separately first.

The international standard is 440 Hz. 432 Hz is another tuning system for musical instruments that is just slightly lower. This frequency, as well as the 440 Hz frequency, refer to the tuning of the A note above middle C.

One of the most important arguments for 432 Hz is that the 8 musical octaves of C are even-numbered. For example, the frequency would be C1: 32 Hz - C2: 64 Hz - C3: 128 Hz, and so on. In the A440 system, the numbers are very odd.

But it is precisely because of these odd notes that 440 Hz is the norm. There is a greater variety. Just listen to these handpans and you won't miss anything at 440 Hz!

Why do some people prefer 432 Hz?

Part of the argument about 432 Hz vs 440 Hz can be traced back to the 17th century, before Heinrich Hertz's time. Things were so different back then that certain pipe organs were tuned to A = 567 Hz, which seems completely absurd (567 Hz would give a flat D by today's standards). Mozart, on the other hand, experimented with different frequency standards, such as 421 and 422 Hz , based on a tuning fork (some believe he preferred 432 Hz, but this seems to be a misunderstanding).

Some people believe that instrumental music up to 432 Hz sounds more pleasant and softer to the ears. Others find that it has a brightness that brings mental clarity. Most advocates of 432 Hz are found among fans of meditation and relaxation music. They claim that it is harmonically richer and resonates "in tune" with nature.

What does 432 Hz sound like?

So it makes sense that we feel more balanced, centered, aware and peaceful when we spend more time tuning into the Earth's natural electromagnetic pulses - at 432 Hz. This is where music 432 Hz vs 440 Hz , as 432 has a clear advantage. But we don't want to meditate all the time!

Meditation music tuned to 432 Hz has a relaxing effect on the body and mind, and is also more harmonious and pleasant than 440 Hz, the frequency to which most modern music we hear today is tuned. Some theorists believe that 440 Hz was designed to stimulate fear, illness and repression. This imposed frequency was adopted as the standard frequency in the United States in 1940.

So, who wins in music 432 Hz vs 440 Hz ? 432 Hz has an excellent influence on the spiritual development of the listeners. Those seeking more inner peace should listen to 432 Hz. As expected, 432 Hz sounds a little lower than 440 Hz. Music tuned to the scientific frequency of 432 Hz releases emotional blockages and is considered extremely beneficial for humans.

What note is 432 Hz?

According to music theory, A=432 Hz is mathematically consistent with the universe. This is known as Verdi's "A" - after Giuseppe Verdi, a famous Italian composer.

We might have been happy with a kalimba in A 432, but the whole world has already decided on 440 Hz.

What is 440 Hz?

Previously, different tuning systems were used for music production around the world. As a compromise, 440 Hz was chosen to make it easier to produce electronic music. In addition, the standardization of this frequency allowed all music around the world to have the same value. From now on, music 432 vs 440 Hz was no longer a question. The decision was made by the American Standards Association in 1936 at an international conference. This music frequency is the basis of most music.

The A above middle C on the piano (also known as A4) is the standard for tuning. The range of A4 is between 400 and 480 Hz.

432Hz vs. 440 Hz - 4 different opinions

General conventions like A4 = 440 Hz may make a big difference in popular culture, manufacturing and commerce, but art does not have to bow to such standards. Therefore, 432 Hz remains a viable tuning option and personal preference for some, even if it is a difficult subject with shaky justifications.

Let’s dive into the big debate surrounding 432 Hz vs 440 Hz with the following arguments:

• Argument 1 - Better to stick with 440 Hz because it is the standard

It is better to stick to the standard of 440 Hz. At 432 Hz it becomes difficult because all instruments tuned in this way cannot be brought into tune with the vast majority of other instruments. And this is a particular problem when it comes to instruments that cannot be tuned. A tongue drum that you retune to 432 Hz could sound out of tune.

Countless tuners and music software use 440 Hz as a standard. Switching to 432 Hz would probably be difficult to implement.

• Argument 2 - "Live and let live." They are both valid. It's a matter of preference. End of story!

432 vs 440 Hz ? Both frequencies are fine and it's really just a matter of personal preference. It's perfectly fine for someone to choose 432 Hz or 440 Hz based on their personal preferences or beliefs. Because vocal frequencies tend to be pretty arbitrary. You can't really talk about this topic in "absolute" criteria.

432 vs 440 Hz is subjective. As you might imagine, there is no single answer to this question. It's a bit like why some people prefer poetry to fiction, or why two people can look at a painting and give completely different interpretations - it's subjective.

• Argument 3 - 432 Hz is nonsense!

Some of the more outlandish arguments for 432 Hz can shatter the 432 Hz vs 440 Hz debate . But while there's nothing mystical or superior about 432 Hz (or 440 Hz), it's worth experimenting with alternative tunings to challenge yourself and keep the creative energies flowing. In other words, don't judge 432 Hz just because some people believe in it for crazy reasons, and don't stick with 440 Hz because it's "normal." Instruments tuned to 432 Hz can produce interesting results.

• Argument 4 - 432 Hz has spiritual significance

The argument that the 432 Hz tuning improves the quality of life is widespread and undisputed. Various scientific studies support the assumption that this lower tuning actually has wellness properties.

The four studies that most strongly suggest these benefits are all from Italy and span the years 2016 to 2020. Each study examined the differences between 440 Hz and 432 Hz interventions for different purposes.

The 2016 study measured the impact of 432 Hz music on perceived anxiety during endodontic treatment. The next study (2017) measured the effects of different music frequencies on rats, specifically weight gain. In 2019, a double-blind study was conducted to examine how 440 Hz and 432 Hz music affects vital parameters in the human body, such as blood pressure, respiratory rate levels, oxygen saturation, and more. And the most recent study (2020) specifically looked at sleep quality in patients with spinal cord injuries, comparing music 432 Hz vs 440 Hz .

Ultimately, the 2016, 2019, and 2020 studies concluded that patients who received 432 Hz audio interventions tended to fare better than those who received 440 Hz interventions. Do these studies prove that 432 Hz is better for the mind, body, and soul? The scientists claim that more research needs to be done to investigate the potential positive effects of 432 Hz music. Still, the 432 Hz vs 440 Hz research is fascinating, and future studies will reveal even more.

How can instruments be tuned to 432 Hz?

If you want to try tuning musical instruments to 432 Hz the old-school way, you can buy a 432 Hz tuning fork and adjust its resonance.

The current standard is for most instruments to be tuned at 440 Hz, and unfortunately most tuners have this as their default setting.

However, some tuners allow you to adjust the tuning standard/pitch of the software and tune your instrument to 432 Hz. This option applies to many chromatic tuners and tuning apps on your smartphone. And if you don't have a tuner or software handy, you can find videos online that will help you tune an instrument to this standard by playing each note.

Summary

What started as a fairly arbitrary difference in tuning preferences has now expanded into a full-blown internet conspiracy. It can be both entertaining and frustrating to read random people's opinions on the subject. Whatever you do, try not to get too caught up in the 432 Hz vs 440 Hz drama or misinformation . Instead, realize that A4 = 440 Hz is not the only tuning standard in the music world, and that playing with an alternate tuning like A4 = 432 Hz can open your eyes and ears to new possibilities and sounds.

Now that it's easier than ever to change the settings to 432 Hz, you can see what this tuning has to offer.