429 HZ – CONCERT PITCH A

There is no “correct” concert pitch. There are historical conventions, practical compromises, and personal decisions.
440 Hz is the international standard. Mother Earth Radio uses 429 Hz. Here’s why.

A brief history of tuning

In the 18th century, the concert pitch was often between 400 and 430 Hz. Bach probably composed at around 415 Hz. In the 19th century, the tuning rose steadily – orchestras wanted to sound more brilliant, opera houses competed for the brightest sound. Paris tuned to 435 Hz, London sometimes to 452 Hz.

The protests came from the singers. Higher tuning means more tension on the vocal cords, more pressure, faster wear. Richard Strauss asked, in effect: How is the poor singer supposed to squeeze out what I have written for her in the highest registers?

In 1939, an international conference in London set the concert pitch at 440 Hz. Tens of thousands of musicians had protested against it – in vain. The standard prevailed because the broadcasters wanted a uniform reference: concert broadcasts from different countries should sound the same.

Musically, the decision was not mandatory. Technically, it was.

Why 429 Hz

Prof. Marc Henry (1958–2024) was a professor of chemistry and quantum physics at the Université de Strasbourg. Over 190 scientific publications, specializing in the physical properties of water.

In his later research, Henry calculated 429.62 Hz as the characteristic frequency of water molecules.

Is this proof that music at 429 Hz is “better”? No. The connection between a molecular frequency and the effect of sound waves is not scientifically established.

But it’s a starting point. A hypothesis from a serious scientist, not from the esoteric corner.

What I hear

I have been working as a sound engineer for 30 years. I have listened to, produced, and mixed a lot of music. At some point, the magic was gone. Everything sounded the same, everything was optimized, nothing touched me anymore.

Then a friend told me about 429 Hz. I was skeptical. I tried it out. I played my instruments, tuned down my hi-res recordings.

And then I sat there listening to music like when I was a child. Not analyzed, not evaluated. Just listened.

This is not a study. This is my experience. Maybe you hear it too. Maybe not. I’m not forcing anyone.

No dogma

440 Hz is standard. 429 Hz is my choice.

Not because of chakras. Not because of healing frequencies. But because it sounds right to me. Because the music breathes again. Because I listen again instead of just hearing.

Every track on Mother Earth Radio is individually re-tuned. Digital, precise, lossless. It takes time. But I hear the difference.

Klangzelle – if you want to hear it right

Mother Earth Radio sounds good on any speaker. But there is one that was built for it.

The Klangzelle is a broadband loudspeaker from the Lachmann engineering office – the same house that came up with the 429 Hz idea. Hand-lathed beech wood housing, one driver, no crossover. A sound that spreads throughout the room without tiring.

I have the Klangzellen here. I listen with them. When Mother Earth Radio runs through these speakers, everything fits together: the music, the tuning, the playback. This is not marketing – this is how I listen myself.

If you’re curious:

To the Klangzellen →