Frequency
The number of sound-wave vibrations per second, measured in hertz, that determines how high or low a pitch sounds.
Category
pitch
Pronunciation
/ˈfriːkwənsi/
Origin
Latin (frequentia)
Length
162 words · 1 min read
About Frequency
Frequency is the physical property behind our perception of pitch. A higher frequency means a higher-sounding note; doubling the frequency raises the pitch by exactly one octave.
More pitch terms
Overtone
View all pitchterms →A higher frequency that sounds simultaneously above a fundamental pitch, shaping the tone colour of a note.
CentsA logarithmic unit that divides each semitone into 100 equal parts, used for precise measurement of pitch intervals.
TemperamentA tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
Concert PitchThe internationally agreed standard tuning reference where A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz.
IntonationThe accuracy with which a performer produces the correct pitch of each note.
Synonyms
See Also
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →