About 432 Hz
"Feel good frequencies"
What Exactly Is 432 Tuning?
“432” refers to the note A below middle C, which gets its pitch because it vibrates at 432 Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Many people think that an A—or any other note—is absolute, a fixed frequency. But in fact, a given note can have a range of possible frequencies. In Europe in the 1700s, Wolfgang Mozart used the A=432 Hz standard. In the 1800s, 432 was associated with Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, who proclaimed that this note possessed “feel good” frequencies and thus resonated with listeners. In 1859, the French government officially recognized A as 435 Hz, while British orchestras were playing A at 439 Hz. In 1917, the American Federation of Musicians accepted the A=440 standard and by the early 1940s, some influential organizations in the United States heavily promoted it. By the early 1950s, A=440 became known as “concert pitch” and was used worldwide, with few exceptions.
You might not think that a mere 8-Hz difference between A=432 and A=440 would matter, but many people feel a distinct difference. Sound—the mechanical motion of waves through air, fluids or solids—vibrates the facial bones and the body’s soft tissues, including the ear drum. Music tuned to 432 is said to mathematically correspond to some structures in the ear, while 440 music does not possesses any mathematical relationship to any bodily structure. This may be why 432 music is reported as relaxing and supportive while 440 music, although potentially exciting, can be experienced as hyper-stimulating and even irritating. Some 432 proponents say that due to the increased clarity of the notes, they don’t have to play their music at as high a volume. They report feeling happier and more emotionally open. And they even assert that 432 helps them feel better physically—in contrast to 440, which causes so much agitation and distress that they actually become ill.
As it turns out, recent scientific studies verify physiological changes that support the 432 proponents' subjective experiences. 432 music reduces blood pressure, markedly decreases heart rate, promotes greater oxygenation of bodily tissues, encourages more restful sleep, and sustains mental focus. Even people who underwent tooth extractions while listening to 432 (compared to 440) music had resuced cortisol levels, which corresponds to less anxiety. Moreover, almost everyone who participated in these studies expressed a preference for 432.
432 tuning is reported to be preferred by many modern musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, The Doors, and (not surprisingly) meditation music composer Enya. When I first learned about 432 music, initially the slightly lower tones sounded out of tune to my trained musician's ear, whch had been used to the modern A=440 concert pitch. But as my muscles started to relax and I felt psychologically more at peace, my ear quickly adjusted. Now it's difficult for me to enjoy listening to 440 music, which feels shrill and unsettling. All of my favorite music from other people is first converted to 432 with a special program before I listen to it.
ARTICLES
"Effect of music at 432 Hz and 440 Hz on dental anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction: a randomized clinical trial." Journal of Applied Oral Science, 2019
"Music Tuned to 440 Hz Versus 432 Hz and the Health Effects: A Double-blind Cross-over Pilot Study." Explore, Volume 15, Issue 4, July-August 2019
The Sound Therapy Site (with videos showing different patterns of 432 vs. 440)
432
Hz – An open, fair and critical examination
"Musical History and Cult Control" by Leonard G. Horowitz
"Tuning Standards Explained: Differences between 432 Hz vs 440 Hz."
INSTRUMENTS
Gongs and Other Strike Instruments in 432 Hz
Native American Flutes in 432 hertz
Mollenhauer Waldorf Edition Soprano Recorder 432Hz
Wind Chimes in 432
Wind Chimes in 432, more
Dieter Schrade 432 Hz Tuned Crystal Chimes (with mallets)
A collection of sounds from ethnic and world string instruments tuned to 432
A website with links to other instruments
I hope that my music gives you comfort, inspiration, and healing.