So, throughout history, there have been many different tuning standards, with 440Hz being the most common one in the modern period. Before that, and mainly for technical reasons (quality of the instruments/strings/etc.), lower pitching standards were in use: 415Hz, 432Hz, etc. Nowadays, we have recovered some of those standards for different reasons with a holistic/integral vision of the music and the universe.
The Benefits of 432Hz
432Hz is slightly lower (almost half a note) from 440Hz, and because of that, many instruments tend to sound softer and, more importantly, tend to produce more harmonics (multiples of a root note). There are several reasons why we prefer to use 432Hz in the sound therapy field:
- Resonance with Nature: 432Hz resonates with the Schumann Resonance of 8Hz, which is the natural frequency of the Earth. This attunes our brains to the frequency of the Earth, creating a sense of harmony and balance (Sound Healers) (MindVibrations).
- Health Benefits: Listening to music at 432Hz can help reduce stress and anxiety, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. It has also been reported to aid in the restoration of memory in Alzheimer’s patients and improve motor skills in stroke victims (Sound Healers) (Aura) (HZP).
- Emotional Well-being: Music at this frequency is believed to release energetic blockages, promoting emotional release and a greater sense of well-being (Sound Healers).
- Musical Quality: Instruments tuned to 432Hz, such as the Stradivarius violins, are known for their superior sound quality. This frequency is considered more pleasant and harmonious, making the music more enjoyable and less stressful to listen to (MindVibrations).
Clarifications on 528Hz
On the other hand, 528Hz has never been a pitching standard. The popularity of this frequency comes from the Solfeggio notes tradition. 528Hz is one of the 9 so-called Solfeggio tones, recovered from the Gregorian tradition by a Benedictine monk in the 11th century who named the notes after the first two letters of a chant verse.
Practical Application
After analyzing your audios, I can tell you that they were created using the 440Hz standard and not the 432Hz. I can’t assure that 528Hz has been used due to common misunderstandings:
- Multiple Frequencies in Music: Music pieces usually have more than one note, so they have more than one frequency. When composers create a piece using a Solfeggio tone like 528Hz, it is the tonal center, but many other frequencies/notes may appear as well.
- Binaural Beats: A binaural beat is the combination of two different frequencies, one entering each ear. When I create music using binaural beats, I place these frequencies in the background and build the music around them. However, this does not mean that the whole composition uses only 1 or 2 frequencies.
Conclusion
When creating music using the 432Hz standard, I can fairly label that track as “432Hz”. Similarly, after creating a piece using a Solfeggio tone as the root, I can label that track with the respective frequency, like “528Hz”. For music containing binaural beats, I may name the track accordingly, such as “Binaural Beat Epsilon”. However, it is essential to understand that no music track exclusively contains just one frequency.
This information might seem overwhelming, but I aim to make it clear for my clients to understand the differences between tuning standards (432Hz/440Hz/etc.), individual notes from ancient traditions (Solfeggio tones), and frequencies used in brainwave entrainment (Binaural Beats).
Thank you for your attention, and I hope this provides a clearer understanding of the nuances involved in music tuning and frequency use.
Warm regards,
Matías RA,
Aural Sounds
For more in-depth insights on the benefits of 432Hz, you can explore sources like Sound Healers, Binaural Beats Meditation, and Mind Vibrations.
