432 Hz, 440 Hz, and 528 Hz are different ways of describing frequency and tuning relationships, at Crystal Tones these numbers are used at Categories to organize the bowls. In conventional musical tuning, 440 Hz is the standard reference for A4, while 432 Hz is an alternative reference preferred by some sound practitioners. An important distinction is that a “432 Hz set” does not mean every bowl produces exactly 432 Hz; each note and octave has its own individual frequency.
Crystal Tones also uses notes and cents to identify where each bowl sits in relation to a tuning reference. The closer bowls are in cents—and, most importantly, the more beautifully they resonate together—the more naturally they can form a cohesive harmonic set.
An exact frequency, such as 528 Hz, refers to a specific measured tone rather than every bowl within a collection. Because crystal bowls produce complex tones and overtones, and their sound can gently fluctuate as they resonate, we evaluate every combination individually rather than relying on numbers alone.
This is a nuanced subject that we teach in our classes and are happy to explain during a private consultation. Ultimately, the ear is as important as the tuner: a beautiful set should be technically compatible and musically harmonious.
