98_Chasin_153-162Apdx 12/6/08 10:30 AM Page 153

APPENDIX A

Musical Note to Frequency

Conversion Chart

A0 A3 110 A6 880
B0 B3 123 B6 988
C0 16 C3 131 C6 1047
D0 18 D3 147 D6 1175
E0 21 E3 165 E6 1319
F0 22 F3 175 F6 1397
G0 25 G3 196 G6 1568

A1 28 A4 220 A7 1760
B1 31 B4 247 B7 1976
C1 33 C4 262 C7 2093
D1 37 D4 294 D7 2349
E1 41 E4 330 E7 2637
F1 44 F4 349 F7 2794
G1 49 G4 392 G7 3136

A2 55 A5 440 A8 3520
B2 62 B5 494 B8 3951
C2 65 C5 523 C8 4186
D2 73 D5 587 D8 4699
E2 82 E5 659 E8 5274
F2 87 F5 698 F8 5588
G2 98 G5 784 G8 6272
Conversion chart from letter note to frequency (Hz). Middle C on the piano keyboard is C4 at 262 Hz, and
the highest note on the piano is C8 at 4186 Hz. Hearing is typically tested between C4 and an octave above
the highest note on the piano keyboard. A common notation is to have both the note and the frequency
together, as A[440], which is also A5. To get the semitone frequency, multiply the note below it by 12√2 or
1.0595. Note. From The Acoustical Foundations of Music (p. 153), by J. Backus, 1977, New York: W. W.
Norton & Company, Inc. Copyright 1977 by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. Adapted with permission.

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