In music theory, Hertz (Hz) value and cent values are both used to describe pitch, but they represent different aspects of it.
Hertz (Hz) Value: Hertz is a unit of frequency that measures sound waves. In music, it represents the number of cycles, or wavelengths, per second that a sound wave vibrates at. The higher the Hertz Value, or 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.
Cent Value: Cent values are used to describe very small incremental changes in pitch. One cent is the equivalent to 1/100 of a semitone. A semitone, also known as a half-step, contains 100 total cents ranging from minus 50 cents(lower in pitch) to plus 50 cents(higher in pitch), with 0 cents being Perfect Pitch. Below is a chart mapping out the cent values for one tone:
Perfect Pitch depends on the tuning standard in use. Silver Sky Imports uses the 440Hz Tuning Standard. This Tuning Standard is the relation in which all cent values relate to. Therefore, 0 cents is known as a 440Hz Perfect Pitch. A 432Hz Perfect Pitch tuning is approximately minus 32 cents of 440Hz Perfect Pitch, or 32 cents flat of 440Hz Perfect Pitch.
Here are a few examples of Hertz values in relation to Cent values, with "m" to denote "minus" cents and "p" to denote "plus" cents. Silver Sky Imports denotes all of their notes as sharp notes. Sharps are denoted with an "S", i.e. F# note is written "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 cent 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.