417 Hz is the second of the six original Solfeggio numbers and is usually described in the tradition as a tone of change. This page separates what 417 Hz is as a sound, what is tradition and what is research, and how we use it.
Hear 417 Hz first. Play 417 Hz in the Frequency Lab (free, no sign-up), and compare it with the other eight tones.
What 417 Hz is (by calculation)
| Item | 417 Hz |
|---|---|
| Nearest piano note (A = 440 Hz) | 7 cents above G♯4 (415.30 Hz) |
| One cycle | about 2.40 ms (417 cycles per second) |
| Wavelength in air (20 °C) | about 0.82 m |
| Overtones (2x, 3x) | 834 Hz, 1251 Hz |
| Where it sits | middle range |
417 Hz sits about 7 cents above G♯4 (415.30 Hz), close enough that it sounds like an ordinary G♯. Its ratio to 741 Hz is very close to 9:16, a minor seventh, an interval found in everyday music. Against 396 Hz it is only 89 cents away, a little less than a semitone (396 Hz vs 417 Hz).
Distance to the other Solfeggio frequencies
100 cents is one semitone. Many of these distances fall between the intervals of ordinary music, which is one reason Solfeggio combinations sound unusual.
| Other tone | Distance | Nearest musical interval |
|---|---|---|
| 174 Hz | 1513 cents | 1 octave(s) + 313 cents |
| 285 Hz | 659 cents | perfect 5th (41 cents narrower) |
| 396 Hz | 89 cents | minor 2nd (11 cents narrower) |
| 528 Hz | 409 cents | major 3rd (9 cents wider) |
| 639 Hz | 739 cents | perfect 5th (39 cents wider) |
| 741 Hz | 995 cents | minor 7th (almost exactly) |
| 852 Hz | 1237 cents | octave (37 cents wider) |
| 963 Hz | 1449 cents | 1 octave(s) + 249 cents |
Where the number came from
The Solfeggio system became widely known after Leonard Horowitz’s 1999 book, which describes Joseph Puleo deriving 396, 417, 528, 639, 741 and 852 from verse numbers in the Book of Numbers. That account comes from the system’s proponents; no independent historical source has been found. 174, 285 and 963 Hz were added later. The often-repeated link to medieval Gregorian chant does not hold: there was no hertz unit and no fixed pitch standard in the Middle Ages, and the hymn Ut queant laxis gave us the syllables do-re-mi, not frequencies.
What research says (as of October 2026)
No peer-reviewed study testing the effects of 417 Hz in people was found. Among the nine Solfeggio frequencies only 528 Hz has human studies, and those are small (the 528 Hz research summary). The descriptive names attached to 417 Hz come from the tradition and from listeners’ accounts.
How we use it
We use it at the start of sequences such as 417 → 528 → 741 Hz for focus sessions, and in a few sleep and meditation pieces. Because it sits close to an ordinary note, it blends easily with other tones.
As of October 2026, 19 of this channel’s published videos use 417 Hz (6 long-form). Some of the long ones:
- 417Hz Japanese Zen Meditation Music (60 min)
- 417Hz (60 min)
- Deep Work 1 Hour · 417 → 528 → 741 Hz Focus Flow (No Loops) (60 min)
- 417Hz · 20 Min Beta 16Hz Focus · Resetting and beating procrastination · Study & Deep Work (20 min)
- Silver Dragon’s Vow · 174→417→528Hz (10 min)
- Cosmic Zen Journey · 528Hz→174Hz — 10 Min Deep Sleep, The Blue World (9 min)
None of these tracks plays a bare 417 Hz sine wave for its whole length; the tone is wrapped in overtones and layered with other sounds so it can be listened to for a long time.
Listening notes
- Start quietly. Pure tones reach the ear more strongly than music at the same level.
- Pure tones are for checking a pitch; for relaxing, a composed track is a better fit.
- This page does not promise any physical or mental effect. If you have health concerns, please see a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is 417 Hz on the piano?
Nearly: about 7 cents above G♯4, which most ears hear as the same note.
417 Hz or 396 Hz?
There is no measured basis for choosing. Played together they beat at 21 Hz and sound rough; in sequence they sit more comfortably.
Does 417 Hz go with 741 Hz?
Their ratio is close to 9:16 (a minor seventh), an interval that sounds natural in sequence.
Related
This article does not guarantee any medical or health benefit and is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have any health concerns, please consult a physician or other qualified professional.
