So, every note on the piano keyboard has a corresponding frequency. When a piano string vibrates, it vibrates at a very specific frequency related to its length and tension, and by changing the tension we can choose exactly what frequency each string vibrates at – the same principle applies to all musical instruments, including drums. So, if a drum is tuned to 100 Hz, its drumhead will vibrate up and down 100 times in a single second, similar applies to guitar strings and glockenspiel bars. Conveniently, some frequencies and frequency relationships are much more ‘musical’ than others, which provides a basis for music as we know it, and the tuning of musical instruments. So vibrating objects – such as musical instruments – cause sound vibrations that our ears can easily interpret. The measurement unit for vibration frequency is known as Hertz or Hz.

Sound is itself another type of vibration, caused as air molecules vibrate and collide, and pass on energy. What are musical frequencies and why frequencies are important for musicians?įrequency is a measure of vibration or oscillation, related to how quickly an object or a signal moves backwards and forwards between two positions. We also take a look at the concepts of the ‘equal temperament’ scale and see how audio frequencies combine in songs and performances to give our ears a rich and organised sound experience that we refer to as ‘music’. We cover all aspects of musical frequencies relating to notes on the piano keyboard and the intervals between notes. In this article we unpick the key concepts relating to musical frequencies, and link these to the tuning of musical instruments and the creation of music, focusing particularly on drums and drumheads too.

Middle c hertz