NEW YORK (AP) — Yoselin Sanchez has experienced chronic pain since birth due to cervical scoliosis. To manage her discomfort, she engages in yoga, free flow dance, and often listens to house music tuned to 432 hertz, 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 tuned to 432 hertz is gaining popularity on social media and music streaming platforms, with various tracks and playlists available, including meditation soundscapes and reggae songs by Ziggy Marley. Proponents claim that 432 hertz is aligned with nature and may have healing properties or the ability to reduce blood pressure, although there is no substantial scientific evidence to support these assertions.
Susan Rogers, a Berklee College of Music professor emeritus, stated, "To set one aside and say that it is the frequency of the universe is, as far as the science community is concerned, nonsense."
Sanchez believes that the emotional benefits and pain relief she associates with 432 hertz music do not require scientific validation. "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.
Historically, musicians have tuned their instruments to various pitches for harmonious sound. The music genre known as "432 Hz" adjusts the A above middle C to vibrate at 432 hertz instead of the standard 440 hertz, resulting in slightly lower notes. Some listeners feel this alteration produces a warmer sound that resonates with the human body and nature.
While many orchestras and musicians currently tune to 440 hertz, this was not always the case. Until the 19th century, tuning standards varied by region. Fanny Gribenski, a music historian at New York University, noted that the push for a common tuning frequency arose with increased international travel, leading to the acceptance of 440 hertz as the international standard in 1939.
Rogers expressed skepticism about the benefits of retuning to 432 hertz, suggesting that modern instruments are designed to sound best at 440 hertz. Gribenski added that higher pitches often yield more brilliance in sound.
Listeners who prefer 432 hertz music cite various reasons for its appeal. Amelia Beamer, a marketing professional, believes that taking breaks to listen to 432 hertz music helps her manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and enhances her focus. "It definitely helps me feel more grounded and more centered," Beamer said.
This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, which focuses on wellness, fitness, diet, and mental health.
