Tuning
The process of adjusting an instrument so its pitches match a chosen reference standard.
Category
pitch
Pronunciation
/ˈtjuːnɪŋ/
Origin
Old English (tunian)
Length
166 words · 1 min read
About Tuning
Tuning ensures that the notes an instrument produces correspond to the intended frequencies, allowing musicians to play in tune with one another. The most common modern reference is A4 = 440 Hz, though historical and regional variations exist.
More pitch terms
Risonamento
View all pitchterms →A rarely used Italian term for the sustained resonance produced by sympathetic vibration between strings
CentsA logarithmic unit that divides each semitone into 100 equal parts, used for precise measurement of pitch intervals.
RegisterA particular range or portion of the pitch spectrum available to a voice or instrument.
OvertoneA higher frequency that sounds simultaneously above a fundamental pitch, shaping the tone colour of a note.
Pitch ClassA group containing all notes that share the same letter name regardless of octave, such as every C on the keyboard.
Synonyms
See Also
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →