F1: frequency and where to play it

F1 at every common reference pitch

A note’s frequency depends on what A4 is tuned to. The standard is 440 Hz; the other three are the ones you are most likely to meet. The cents column is how far each one sits from the 440 version — the same for every note, because changing the reference moves the whole scale together.

One cycle of F1 lasts 22.908 ms, and its wavelength in air at 20 °C is 7.86 m. Hold it as a steady tone in the tone generator.

F1 on the piano

F1 is key 9 of 88, counting from the bottom — a white key. Press any key below to compare it with its neighbours.

F1 on the guitar

F1 is below the guitar’s lowest note, the open low E (E2), so a guitar in standard tuning cannot play it.

F1 on the staff

Instruments that can play F1

7 instruments play F1 within the normal range, and 2 reach it only at the extreme of theirs. Each links to its range chart; for a transposing instrument, the note on its part is shown.

Only at the extreme of their range

• Harp
• Euphonium

F1 is outside the typical range of all six voice types. Test your own range.

The harmonics of F1

A played F1 is not one frequency. A string or a pipe also sounds whole-number multiples of it, and the mix of those harmonics is the instrument’s tone. Here is where the first eight land — and why the 7th sounds out of tune against a piano.

Frequently asked questions

Typing it? F1 is also written F1. Convert any frequency on the Hz-to-note converter.