Behind every note lies a number. A frequency, measured in hertz, corresponding to the speed of vibration of an air column, a string, or a metal tine. It is this frequency that makes an A sound like an A, whether produced by a kalimba, a sitar, a jaw harp, or a grand piano. And it is from this starting point that everything else — tuning, harmony, music — becomes possible.

But before tuning an instrument, one must first speak the same language. Musicians around the world have not all grown up with the same notation system, and the instruments we offer at Rhythms & Roots are described according to the conventions of their region of origin. This reference guide is here to help you find your bearings.

Three systems, one note

There are three major families of musical notation still in use today:

International notation (Anglo-Saxon) uses the letters A to G. It is the system used in the vast majority of modern sheet music, electronic tuners, and our shop's product listings.

German notation follows the same alphabetical logic but with two important differences: B becomes H, and B♭ is written as B. This distinction, inherited from medieval tradition, remains widespread in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Central European countries — and directly concerns several instruments in our catalogue, including jaw harps and certain flutes.

Latin notation, or solfège, uses the syllables Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Si. Rooted in the Italian tradition and widespread in French-, Spanish-, and Portuguese-speaking countries, it remains the standard teaching system in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and French-speaking African countries.

A 440: the universal reference

Since 1939, the international musical community has agreed on a common reference: A4 corresponds to a frequency of 440 Hz. All other notes in equal temperament are calculated from this reference by multiplying or dividing by the twelfth root of two for each semitone.

This convention matters to us because it determines the tuning of most instruments in our catalogue. When a jaw harp is described as tuned to "F#" or "G", it means its fundamental note corresponds to those frequencies in the 440 Hz reference system.

The 432 Hz question

Some musicians and sound wellness practitioners prefer to tune their instruments to 432 Hz — approximately 8 Hz below the modern standard. Proponents of this pitch cite a warmer, more organic sound, better in resonance with natural harmonics. This debate remains open within the musical community, but it is worth knowing if you practise sound therapy or wish to play with musicians using this reference.

Octaves: locating pitch

The same note — C, for example — can exist at several different heights. To distinguish them, each is assigned an octave number. Middle C, the universal reference point on a piano, is called C4 in international notation. The C one octave below is C3, the one above is C5.

The international (MIDI) convention used in this table numbers octaves from 0 to 8, anchored by A4 at 440 Hz. This is the convention you will find on product pages in our shop, on chromatic tuners, and in audio software.

Interactive reference table

The table below lists all notes in the standard musical range — from A0 (27.5 Hz) to C8 (4186 Hz) — with their equivalents in all three notation systems and their exact frequency at 440 Hz. Use the search to filter by note name or octave. Click the ▶ button to hear each note.

How to use this table

If your tuner shows that your jaw harp is tuned to F#3, look up this notation in the "International" column to find its solfège name (Fa sharp 2) and German notation (fis). You will also see its exact frequency: 185 Hz.

If a product listing mentions a German notation — for example cis — use the corresponding column to find that it is a C sharp, or C# in international notation.

Finally, if you wish to tune your instrument to a precise frequency rather than a named note, the "Frequency" column gives you the exact value for each note in the 440 Hz reference system.