A gentle touch of the mallet, one note, then another. As the tones linger, they begin to overlap. That first encounter with the sound is a good place to begin choosing a crystal harp. The 432 Hz label offers one clue; listening will tell you much more.
Play the virtual harp and explore which sound feels right for you.
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What does 432 Hz mean?
It is the reference used to tune the instrument. The note A4 is set to 432 Hz, with the other notes tuned in relation to it. Each quartz tube plays its own musical note.
At A4 = 440 Hz, that reference note sits a little higher. The tuning shifts, while the relationships in a melody stay the same. Scale, range, playing technique and room acoustics also shape what you hear.
Why do we play at 432 Hz?
At Sacred Forest, we choose A4 = 432 Hz because we love its sound. To our ears, it feels gentler, more pleasant and more relaxing. Customers who play our harps share similar impressions with us.
We especially enjoy this tuning when singing with the harp. For us, and for customers who share this experience, joining the voice with the harp feels easier and more enjoyable. Those moments of playing and singing together are why 432 Hz is our first choice.
432 Hz tuning is also chosen for instruments used in sound healing sessions.
Give yourself a moment to listen
Start with a few single notes. Leave room between them and let each one ring. Then try a short phrase. Notice which combinations you want to hear again.
When comparing 432 and 440 Hz recordings, choose the same piece at a similar volume. That makes the tuning difference easier to hear. Words such as warm or bright can help describe your impression, though listeners may use them differently.
Choose a tuning for your music
If you play with others, check their tuning before buying. A crystal harp referenced to A4 = 432 Hz will not match the corresponding pitches of an instrument referenced to A4 = 440 Hz. This matters especially when an instrument cannot easily be retuned.
Our standard tuning for Sacred Forest® Crystal Harps is A4 = 432 Hz. A4 = 440 Hz is available for selected models on request. Contact us before ordering to confirm the model and timing.
Hear two different scales
Chakra C has eight notes in C major; Mystic E has eight notes in E Phrygian dominant. Both recordings use A4 = 432 Hz. Listen to how each scale opens up different melodic possibilities.
Which sound holds your attention? Explore all eight models to hear their recordings and compare notes, range and prices.
Compare models and hear the recordings
How a quartz crystal harp works
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