E2 — 82.407 Hz
E2 (E2) is 82.407 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 40.
E2 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 82.407 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 82.500 Hz | +1.95 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 81.758 Hz | -13.69 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 82.244 Hz | -3.43 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 82.244 Hz | -3.43 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 82.244 Hz | -3.43 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 82.258 Hz | -3.13 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 82.244 Hz | -3.43 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 82.314 Hz | -1.95 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 82.314 Hz | -1.95 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 82.221 Hz | -3.91 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 82.314 Hz | -1.95 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
E2 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) | 82.407 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 82.781 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 82.969 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 80.909 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 77.725 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play E2
E2 (82.407 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 25 instruments.
Why E2 Varies Across Tuning Systems
E2 shows a maximum deviation of -13.69 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, E2 is tuned flatter than equal temperament, reflecting this system's approach to distributing the Pythagorean comma across the chromatic scale.
E2 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how E2 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives E2 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
E2 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how E2 (82.407 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places E2 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune E2 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.
