What is the story about?
NEW YORK (AP) — Yoselin Sanchez has been in chronic pain since she was born with cervical scoliosis. While little eases the discomfort, she’s found ways
to distract herself from hurting. She practices yoga, performs free flow dance, and frequently listens to house music tuned to 432 hertz while working, a frequency lower than the typical concert pitch.
“Music is medicine. Sound is medicine,” said Sanchez, who provides telehealth services for a healthcare management organization in California. “It helps me focus and be engaged with the patient I’m assisting, and it also helps me relax.”Music recorded in 432 hertz (cycles per second) is gaining traction on social media platforms and music streaming services, where users can find an increasing number of tracks and playlists employing this alternate tuning, ranging from meditation soundscapes to reggae songs recorded by Ziggy Marley.
Many proponents assert that 432 hertz aligns with nature, claiming healing properties and the power to reduce blood pressure. However, there is no robust scientific evidence supporting these assertions.
“There are frequencies going on right now that are higher than what we can hear and lower than what we can hear. And they’re not special because they’re one of the billions and billions of frequencies that we’re receiving right now,” said Susan Rogers, a Berklee College of Music professor emeritus and former sound engineer for Prince during the 1980s. “To set one aside and say that it is the frequency of the universe is, as far as the science community is concerned, nonsense.”
To Sanchez, the lack of scientific backing does not diminish the benefits she associates with 432 hertz music. “When it comes to music, it could activate different feelings in people, the vibrations of it. It’s not like a one-size-fits-all,” she said.
Throughout history, musicians have tuned their instruments to a common pitch to create harmonious sound. The music genre known as “432 Hz” features the A above middle C tuned to vibrate at 432 hertz instead of the standard 440 hertz. This lower frequency is perceptible to the ear, producing slightly lower notes that some listeners feel create a warmer, more harmonious sound resonating with the human body and the natural world.
While many orchestras and musicians currently adhere to the 440 hertz standard, this was not always the case. Until the 19th century, tuning varied by region, with musicians often singing within their vocal ranges.
As orchestras began to tune to higher frequencies, some composers expressed concern that singers would struggle to perform older music. “The idea that it should be mainly a lower frequency than the ones that were in use at the time is really the cultural concern for protecting music from the past, protecting the voices of singers,” said Fanny Gribenski, a music historian at New York University.
With the rise of international travel, the need for a common tuning frequency emerged. In 1939, representatives from various European countries and the U.S. agreed to adopt 440 hertz as the international standard.
Despite the established standard, artists have continued to experiment with pitch. In the 1980s and ’90s, sound engineers occasionally altered the speed of recorded songs, moving away from the 440 hertz frequency.
However, Rogers questions whether retuning an entire band or orchestra to 432 hertz would enhance its sound, as many modern instruments are designed to perform best at 440 hertz. “Some of those instruments might sound a little sweeter, but it’s likely that most won’t,” she said.
Gribenski added that higher pitch generally yields more brilliance and power in some instruments. For listeners who appreciate the lower 432 hertz music, she speculated, “I wonder if there is a sense of deceleration, slowing down slightly, and also taking one step down from the bright sounds of modernity.”
Fans of working while accompanied by a 432 hertz soundtrack cite various reasons for their preference. Amelia Beamer, who handles marketing at her family-owned pharmacy, Andrews Apothecary in North Carolina, believes that taking breaks to listen to 432 hertz music aids her focus due to her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She has noticed that listening before starting a project helps her concentrate better.
Beamer works for 25 minutes, takes a five-minute break to listen, and then returns to her tasks. She also listens to other frequencies, such as music tuned to 528 hertz.
“It definitely helps me feel more grounded and more centered,” Beamer stated regarding 432 hertz music. “It helps me slow down and take some intentional space and time for myself.”
Diana Wolf Torres, a video creator and writer, often experiences migraines and is sensitive to noise. She finds that listening to music tuned to 432 hertz or white noise through noise-canceling headphones helps her focus, especially when distractions arise.
“I just want to be there and get it done and feel like I’m doing my best writing possible, and anything that keeps me in the zone is a fantastic tool,” Torres said.
Although Torres does not believe in any scientific or special properties of 432 hertz music, she acknowledges that “maybe some people find this lower tuning more soothing.” She also pointed out that most listeners may not know if music labeled as 432 hertz on social media is accurately labeled.
“What does it matter? If you're getting an effect, are you really going to check the resonance? Do you care?” Torres questioned.
Sanchez, the telehealth worker, enjoys listening to other alternative frequencies, such as 528 hertz and 963 hertz.
“It’s something worth exploring and finding out for yourself whether it has any benefits or not,” Sanchez said. “For me, I find that grounding is beneficial to my overall wellbeing, so I see how it helps my livelihood.”
