E1 — 41.203 Hz
E1 (E1) is 41.203 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 28.
E1 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 41.203 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 41.250 Hz | +1.97 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 40.879 Hz | -13.67 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 41.122 Hz | -3.41 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 41.122 Hz | -3.41 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 41.122 Hz | -3.41 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 41.129 Hz | -3.11 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 41.122 Hz | -3.41 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 41.157 Hz | -1.93 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 41.157 Hz | -1.93 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 41.110 Hz | -3.91 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 41.157 Hz | -1.93 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
E1 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) | 41.203 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 41.391 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 41.484 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 40.454 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 38.862 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play E1
E1 (41.203 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 9 instruments.
Why E1 Varies Across Tuning Systems
E1 shows a maximum deviation of -13.67 cents in Just / Pure compared to equal temperament. This 14-cent difference reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Just / Pure, E1 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
E1 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how E1 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives E1 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
E1 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how E1 (41.203 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places E1 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune E1 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.
