Rename base frequency to reference frequency?

[kingemir]

Reference frequency vs. base frequency

I think, in the context of a software dealing with scales or tonal/tuning systems, reference frequency is the better term.

Reference frequency

A reference frequency is a frequency chosen as the point of reference for a tonal/tuning system. All other tones are defined relative to it. In literature, the frequency assigned to the reference tone of a scale or tonal/tuning system (whatever its musical function) is the reference frequency. Here are some sources using the term:

ISO 266:1997 Acoustics Preferred Frequencies Standard Guidelines

This ISO is not about musical tuning, but it demonstrates that reference frequency is the standard technical term in acoustics, which it repeatedly uses, for example:

"The frequency series is referred to the reference frequency of 1000 Hz." https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/iso/f5f1664e-0e9b-4002-b164-fde8ceff5442/iso-266-1997

Wikipedia article about A440 (pitch standard)

"...A440 is now commonly used as a reference frequency to calibrate acoustic equipment and to tune pianos, violins, and other musical instruments." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A440_%28pitch_standard

So, I would use reference frequency because it is:

• Standard in acoustics and tuning
• Appropriate whether the reference tone is a tonic, finalis, drone, or simply the first tone of a scale or of a tonal system. It doesn't rely on culture-specific concepts like tonic or key. It's culturally neutral.

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Base frequency

Base frequency has no widely accepted technical meaning in music theory. Maybe not when using the software, but in other situations, it might be interpreted as:

• the lowest frequency in a tuning,
• the fundamental frequency of a sound,
• the starting frequency of a frequency series,
• or simply a frequency used as a base.

Because it is ambiguous, I suggest replacing it with reference frequency. It's also because I use reference frequency in my
texts from which I provide links to scale-workshop examples of tonal systems.