The harmonic series, drawn as notes.
One turn of the spiral is one octave, so every A sits on the same spoke and every harmonic lands on the note it actually is. The 3rd sits 2 cents sharp of a fifth. The 7th sits 31 cents flat of a minor seventh. We drew them where they are.
This is the soundcheck. The app is quicker, does far more, and is free on iPhone and Android in November. Premium adds your session card, 5‑minute clips and premium themes. See the app
- What
- A2, bowed and held
- From
- One string, 110 Hz
- Made
- Synthesized for this page
| HarmonicNo. | Lands nearNear | Hz | Off by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | A2 | 110 | 0¢ |
| 2nd | A3 | 220 | 0¢ |
| 3rd | E4 | 330 | +2¢ |
| 4th | A4 | 440 | 0¢ |
| 5th | C♯5 | 550 | −14¢ |
| 6th | E5 | 660 | +2¢ |
| 7th | G5 | 770 | −31¢ |
| 8th | A5 | 880 | 0¢ |
Off by is how far each harmonic sits from the piano's version of that note, in cents. A hundred cents is one half step.
Your set list.
The pitch helix is older than the phonograph. Moritz Drobisch described it in 1846, Roger Shepard and Elaine Chew built on it, and IRCAM's The Snail draws a live spiral too. Tonotopia is our modern take.
Sing one note, see the series
Sing or play one note and the harmonics stack up above it, each on the spoke of the note it really is.
Pick your A
Reference pitch at 440, 442 or 432. A stays at the top either way.
Compare two instruments
Play the same note on a flute and then a violin. The fundamental stays put and the harmonics change shape.
What the app brings for you.
Spot something we got wrong? Tell us at hello@tonotopia.com. We'd rather fix it than argue.
Everything the app does, Free and Premium| Tuner with presets | Chromatic, with instrument presets. |
|---|---|
| Reference pitch | 440, 442 or 432. |
| Vibrato | Drawn around the note as it happens. |
| Instant replayFree | Catch the moment, replay it, look again. |
Get on the list.
Opening night is in November. Leave your email and we'll tell you the day it opens.
Admit one
- Show
- Tonotopia, opening night
- Where
- iPhone and Android
- When
- November 2026
- Seat
- Mezzanine
Point your phone's camera here to open this page on it.
Keep this stub. You won't need it, but it's a nice stub.