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About B3
B3 has a frequency of 246.94 Hz in standard tuning, where A4 is fixed at 440 Hz. It is MIDI note 59 and key number 39 on an 88-key piano.
In equal temperament every semitone multiplies the frequency by the twelfth root of two (≈1.05946), so B3 is 10 semitones below A4: f = 440 × 2^((59 − 69) / 12) = 246.94 Hz. The number in the name is the octave in scientific pitch notation, which starts each octave on C.
B3 frequency in different tunings
| Tuning reference | B3 frequency |
|---|---|
| A4 = 440 Hz (ISO 16 standard) | 246.94 Hz |
| A4 = 442 Hz (many European orchestras) | 248.06 Hz |
| A4 = 443 Hz (Berlin, Vienna) | 248.63 Hz |
| A4 = 435 Hz (French diapason normal, 1859) | 244.14 Hz |
| A4 = 432 Hz (alternative tuning) | 242.45 Hz |
| A4 = 415 Hz (Baroque pitch) | 232.91 Hz |
| C4 = 256 Hz (scientific pitch) | 241.63 Hz |
Where to play B3 on a guitar
Standard tuning (E A D G B E), frets 0–22.
- 6th string (low E), fret 19
- 5th string (A), fret 14
- 4th string (D), fret 9
- 3rd string (G), fret 4
- 2nd string (B), open
Intervals from B3
| Interval | Note | Frequency | Ratio (just) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor second | C4 | 261.63 Hz | 16:15 |
| Major second | C♯4 | 277.18 Hz | 9:8 |
| Minor third | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 6:5 |
| Major third | D♯4 | 311.13 Hz | 5:4 |
| Perfect fourth | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 4:3 |
| Tritone | F4 | 349.23 Hz | 45:32 |
| Perfect fifth | F♯4 | 369.99 Hz | 3:2 |
| Minor sixth | G4 | 392 Hz | 8:5 |
| Major sixth | G♯4 | 415.3 Hz | 5:3 |
| Minor seventh | A4 | 440 Hz | 9:5 |
| Major seventh | A♯4 | 466.16 Hz | 15:8 |
| Octave | B4 | 493.88 Hz | 2:1 |
Instruments and voices that can play B3
- Piano (88 keys)
- Guitar (standard tuning)
- Bass guitar (4-string)
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double bass
- Harp
- Clarinet (B♭, sounding)
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Alto saxophone (sounding)
- Tenor saxophone (sounding)
- Trumpet (B♭, sounding)
- French horn (sounding)
- Trombone
- Tuba
- Bass voice
- Baritone voice
- Tenor voice
- Alto voice
- Mezzo-soprano voice
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of B3?
B3 is 246.94 Hz when A4 = 440 Hz (242.45 Hz if A4 = 432 Hz).
What MIDI number is B3?
B3 is MIDI note number 59.
Is B3 on a piano?
Yes – it is key 39 of 88.
Where is B3 on the guitar?
In standard tuning: 6th string (low E), fret 19; 5th string (A), fret 14; 4th string (D), fret 9; 3rd string (G), fret 4.