Understanding how sound wave frequency relates to musical pitch is fundamental in music theory and audio engineering. This guide will help you understand the relationship between frequency and pitch, how to convert between them, and provide practical examples, FAQs, and tables for better understanding.

What is Frequency and Pitch?

• Frequency: The number of sound wave cycles per second, measured in hertz (Hz).
• Pitch: The perceived frequency of a sound by the human ear, often described in musical terms (e.g., A4, C#).

Frequency to Pitch Conversion

To convert sound wave frequency to pitch, you can use the standard musical pitch reference, where A4 (the A above Middle C) is set to 440 Hz. The formula to find the pitch of a frequency is based on the equal-tempered scale in music.

The formula for converting frequency (f) to pitch (P) is:

P = 69 + 12 * log2(f / 440)

Where:

• P: Pitch in MIDI note number
• f: Frequency in hertz (Hz)
• log2: Logarithm to the base 2

Practical Example

Let’s convert a frequency of 880 Hz to its corresponding pitch.

Using the formula:

P = 69 + 12 * log2(880 / 440)

P = 69 + 12 * log2(2)

P = 69 + 12 * 1

P = 81

So, a frequency of 880 Hz corresponds to the pitch of A5 (MIDI note number 81).

FAQs about Frequency and Pitch

Q: What is the difference between frequency and pitch? A: Frequency is a physical measurement of sound waves, while pitch is the perceived sound that our ears interpret from those frequencies.

Q: How does frequency affect pitch? A: Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, and lower frequencies correspond to lower pitches.

Q: Can two different frequencies have the same pitch? A: Inharmonic frequencies can sometimes be perceived as the same pitch if they are close enough, but generally, each frequency corresponds to a unique pitch.

Frequency to Pitch Converter Table

Frequency (Hz)	Pitch (MIDI Note)	Musical Note
440	69	A4
523.25	72	C5
880	81	A5
987.77	84	B5
1046.5	85	C6