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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-marvin!isbell
From: isbell@marvin.DEC (Chris Isbell)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: How to calculate the frequency of a note
Message-ID: <511@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 30-May-84 02:26:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.511
Posted: Wed May 30 02:26:32 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 26-May-84 13:48:44 EDT
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 22

[]
hou5d!mat asks how he can determine the frequency of C.

The general rule for determining the frequency of a note on the equal 
tempered scale based on standard concert pitch is as follows:-


	f = 440*2^(x/12)

where: f is the frequency required and x is the number of semitione
above A of the note in question. ( ^ means raised to the power of.) The
result may be doubled (to raise it an octave), or halved (to lower it an
octave) as required. 

In the specific case of C, x=3 (A-Bb-B-C), therefore f= 440*2^(3/12)
This equals 523.251 Hz. Middle C is an octave lower at 216.163 Hz.

Note that real instruments are not often tuned (or played) to an
accurate equal tempered scale. This has be the subject of some debate in
this news group. 

			Chris.