F2 — 87.307 Hz
F2 (F2) is 87.307 Hz in standard equal temperament at A=440 Hz. It is MIDI note number 41.
F2 Frequency in All Tuning Systems
| Temperament | Frequency (Hz) | Cents from Equal | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 87.307 Hz | 0.00 | Modern standard; piano, fretted instruments |
| Pythagorean Tuning | 86.914 Hz | -7.81 | Medieval/early music; string ensemble open fifths |
| Just / Pure | 87.209 Hz | -1.94 | A cappella vocal, barbershop, Renaissance |
| Meantone 1/3 Comma | 88.265 Hz | +18.89 | Renaissance vocal music in minor keys |
| Meantone 1/4 Comma | 88.000 Hz | +13.69 | Renaissance keyboard, early Baroque organ |
| 1/6 SC - Attenuated | 87.752 Hz | +8.80 | Baroque orchestral ensemble compromise |
| Kellner's Bach | 87.881 Hz | +11.34 | Bach keyboard reconstruction |
| Kirnberger III | 88.000 Hz | +13.69 | Classical-era keyboard, keys near C major |
| Vallotti | 87.702 Hz | +7.81 | Baroque/Classical orchestral tuning |
| Werckmeister III | 87.802 Hz | +9.79 | Baroque keyboard; Bach contemporaries |
| Werckmeister IV | 87.802 Hz | +9.79 | Baroque keyboard, strong key contrast |
| Werckmeister V | 87.504 Hz | +3.90 | Specialized Baroque keyboard |
Positive cents = sharper than equal temperament. Negative cents = flatter. 100 cents = 1 semitone.
F2 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) | 87.307 Hz | US, UK, and most modern ensembles worldwide |
| A = 442 Hz | 87.704 Hz | Many European orchestras; France, Germany |
| A = 443 Hz | 87.902 Hz | Berlin Philharmonic; some US orchestras |
| A = 432 Hz | 85.720 Hz | Alternative tuning; Baroque revival |
| A = 415 Hz (Baroque) | 82.346 Hz | Historically-informed Baroque performance |
f = f_at_A440 × (concert_pitch / 440)
Instruments That Play F2
F2 (87.307 Hz) falls within the comfortable playing range of 25 instruments.
Why F2 Varies Across Tuning Systems
F2 shows a maximum deviation of +18.89 cents in Meantone 1/3 Comma compared to equal temperament. This 19-cent difference is clearly audible to trained musicians and reflects how different tuning philosophies prioritize interval purity over equal distribution.
In Meantone 1/3 Comma, F2 is tuned sharper than equal temperament to achieve purer intervals with nearby notes in the tuning system's favored keys.
4 of the 15 non-equal temperaments deviate by more than 10 cents for F2, making this note one where tuning system choice has a meaningful impact on pitch.
F2 Across All Tuning Systems
Explore how F2 is tuned in each historical temperament system. Each tuning system gives F2 a slightly different frequency, affecting the harmonic character of chords and melodies.
F2 in Historical Temperament Systems
Explore how F2 (87.307 Hz in equal temperament) is tuned in each of the 15 historical non-equal temperament systems. Each system places F2 at a slightly different frequency based on its mathematical basis.
Tune F2 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.
