Pitch of Middle C
From “Let’s Get a Little Technical¨ by Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers
The pitch “Middle C,” or C4, is not an arbitrary pitch. It is actually about Hz. […] the pitch A (actually A5) is about Hz. That is the A above middle C. Because “440” comes out to be an even number, we use it for tuning forks, and to tune acoustic instruments with.
While its true that the relationship between a key, considered in the abstract, and a sound frequency is arbitrary, and any musical alphabet letter expresses specific instances of that relationship (refer to 20240901115917-Locating_C_Piano_Key), middle C has been standardized to meet a specific absolute frequency: Hz.
A5 and Tuning
The key A5, which sits above or to the right of middle C, is likewise set at an absolute frequency of Hz, as, being a rounder number than the absolute frequency of C4 / middle C, it is easier to work with for tuning purposes–especially manual tuning.
music music_theory musicology aesthetics philosophy conventionalism musical_alphabet middle_C C4 musical_alphabet keys
bibliography
- “Let’s Get a Little Technical.” In Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: The Producer’s Guide to Harmony, Chord Progressions, and Song Structure in the MIDI Grid., 1st ed., 33. Minneapolis, MN: Slam Academy, 2018.