In music theory, the Hertz (Hz) value and cents value are both used to describe pitch, but they represent different aspects of it.
Hertz (Hz) Value: Hertz is a unit of frequency measurement. In music, it represents the number of cycles, or wavelengths, per second that a sound wave vibrates at. The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the sound. Hertz values are linear, meaning that each octave represents a doubling of frequency. For example, 3rd octave A Note is 220Hz, 4th octave A Note is 440Hz, 5th octave A Note is 880Hz, etc.
Cents Value: Cents values are used to better harmonize notes in a simpler manner than memorizing the frequencies of each note. There are 100 total cents for each note, ranging from minus 50 cents(lower in pitch) to plus 50 cents(higher in pitch), with 0 cents being Perfect Pitch. Perfect Pitch depends on the tuning standard in use. Silver Sky Imports is denoted according to 440Hz Tuning Standard. Therefore, 0 cents harmonizes perfectly with a 440Hz A Note. 432Hz Perfect Pitch A Note is approximately minus 32 cents of 440Hz Perfect Pitch.
Here are a few more examples of Hertz values in relation to Cents values, with "m" to denote "minus" cents and "p" to denote "plus" cents. Sharp Notes are denoted with an "S", i.e. F# Note is "FS":
- 176Hz F Note = 3rd Octave Fm6
- 417Hz G# Note = 4th Octave GSp7
- 432Hz A Note = 4th Octave Am32
- 440Hz A Note = 4th Octave App0
- 460Hz A# Note = 4th Octave ASm23
- 528Hz C Note = 5th Octave Cp16
Sound artists use both Hertz and cents values to communicate and understand pitch relationships, whether in tuning instruments, composing melodies, or analyzing harmonic structures.
Cent values on our website are rounded to the nearest 5 cents. i.e. minus 7 cents is denoted as minus 5 cents, plus 12 cents is denoted as plus 10 cents.
Tuning standards are titled on our website as follows:
- 440Hz Perfect Pitch: pp0 (+/- 0 cents)
- Near 440Hz: m10, m5, p5, p10
- 432Hz Perfect Pitch: m30, m35
- Near 432Hz: m40, m25
Frequencies near Perfect Pitch will harmonize well with that tuning standard.
WolframAlpha.com is a great search engine to find the note, octave, and cents value of any frequency.