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Middle C is 261.63 Hz. The next half-step up (C#) is 277.183 Hz.

Why are these notes, while a tone at, say, 265 Hz, is not? Or what about 269.1488 Hz -- nearly absolute middle of the two?

Why do we recognize certain frequencies as notes?

Middle C is 261.63 Hz. The next half-step up (C#) is 277.183 Hz. Why are these notes, while a tone at, say, 265 Hz, is not? Or what about 269.1488 Hz -- nearly absolute middle of the two? Why do we recognize certain frequencies as notes?

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[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

I believe that it is completely arbitrary. There's no reason you can't play a tone at 269.1488 and call that C... but you won't be in tune with anyone else following the standard.

A "popular" alternative tuning for instance would be A=432 hz instead of A=440 hz.