B2 — 123.471 Hz
B2 (B2) is 123.471 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 47.
B2 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 123.471 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 123.750 Hz | +3.91 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 122.637 Hz | -11.73 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 122.775 Hz | -9.79 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 122.983 Hz | -6.86 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 123.123 Hz | -4.89 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 123.248 Hz | -3.13 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 123.227 Hz | -3.42 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 123.192 Hz | -3.92 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 123.331 Hz | -1.96 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 123.053 Hz | -5.87 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 123.611 Hz | +1.96 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
B2 at Different Concert Pitches
The same note varies in frequency depending on the concert pitch standard used by your ensemble.
| Concert Pitch | Frequency (Hz) | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| A = 440 Hz (ISO standard) | 123.471 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 124.032 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 124.313 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 121.226 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 116.455 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play B2
B2 (123.471 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 26 instruments.
Why B2 Varies Across Tuning Systems
B2 shows a maximum deviation of -11.73 cents in Just / Pure compared to equal temperament. This 12-cent difference reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Just / Pure, B2 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
B2 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how B2 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives B2 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
B2 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how B2 (123.471 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places B2 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune B2 with precision — Get Tunable.
Tunable supports 15+ tuning systems including equal temperament, Pythagorean, just intonation, and historical well-temperaments. See exact Hz values in real-time as you play.
