octaves & tuning

Notes & Octaves

In music, an octave refers to doubling the base frequency of a note, such as going from do to do again. For instance, if you start with an A1 note at 55 Hz, the next "do" will be A2 at 110 Hz. As you move up in octaves, the pitch gets higher. Each doubling takes you to the next octave (A3 = 220 Hz, A4 = 440 Hz). It can be confusing when someone asks for a specific note in a singing bowl, like a B note, without considering the different octaves that produce entirely distinct sounds. Singing bowl notes span multiple octaves, each with its own frequency. So, asking for a "B note bowl" is like requesting chocolate ice cream without specifying the quantity—you need more details to get what you want.

Singing Bowl’s Main Tone

Singing bowls produce complex sounds with multiple tones, but the primary tone is the deepest one you hear when you strike it. This tone is typically the strongest, although in some bowls, the next highest note might be more prominent due to overtones. Even if overtones are strong, your brain can still distinguish between lower and higher tones when you group bowls together. The lowest note of a singing bowl is often called the primary tone, or the "fundamental." Musicians and scientists might refer to it as the first partial. Antique singing bowls can have primary tones ranging from the first to the sixth octave, with additional tones known as overtones or partials.

Perfect Pitch

Perfect pitch refers to the precise frequency within a note's spectrum. Musicians perceive tones as "in tune," sharp, or flat. A sharp note is slightly higher in pitch than perfect, while a flat note is slightly lower. Musicians even divide each note into 100 "cents," with 50 above and 50 below perfect, although discerning these minute differences is rare. Perfect pitch encompasses a narrow range within a note's full spectrum, typically within 10 cents of absolute center. Achieving perfect pitch is rare, with only about 1% of notes hitting the exact frequency. However, many consider a range of 20 cents around perfect to still be acceptable.

Pitch Memory

Perfect pitch also describes the ability to identify and replicate specific notes, aiding in instrument tuning. This skill is often innate and difficult to acquire after childhood. Pitch memory, on the other hand, involves the ability to remember and reproduce a pitch. While perfect pitch is either present or absent, pitch memory can be developed with practice. Pitch memory is useful in selecting singing bowls that harmonize well with each other, facilitating smooth transitions between tones.

Octaves: 432, 440, 448 Hz

Octaves can be defined based on different criteria, often anchored to the A note above middle C. In Western music, A440 Hz is commonly used as the standard tuning, but not everyone agrees on this frequency. Some argue that a slightly flatter central note, such as A432 Hz, sounds more natural. Changing the "A" reference alters the pitch range for each note. For instance, what might sound flat or out of tune at A440 could be perfect at A432. A448 Hz is another variant, producing a sharper or brighter tone. However, A440 remains the standard reference for defining tones in most contexts.