Raise Your Vibration

Solfeggio frequencies are a listening tradition in which certain tones are paired with certain intentions. The fifteen recordings here are slow, plain sound textures built on those tones. You pick one and listen; a short description of each appears when you select it.

Where does it come from?

The name "solfège" goes back to the eleventh century, to the note names (ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la) that Guido d'Arezzo took from the first syllables of lines in a hymn. The series of 396, 417, 528, 639, 741 and 852 Hz that circulates online today is much newer: it spread in the 1990s through the work of Joseph Puleo and Leonard Horowitz. So the story of "ancient frequencies" is historically disputed, and it's more honest to say so up front.

The 432 Hz question is similar. Today orchestras tune the note A to 440 Hz, a standard adopted in the twentieth century. Some listeners find music tuned to 432 softer. That's a difference of taste, not a proven health effect.

What can you expect?

Listening to a calm, long sound can help you relax, slow your breathing and gather your attention. That has more to do with you stopping to listen than with the frequency of the sound.

It has not been scientifically shown that frequencies have a special effect on cells, DNA or diseases. The descriptions next to the recordings explain what the tradition attaches to each tone; they are not medical information.

Which one should you choose?

• 396 to 963 Hz: In the tradition, a series matched to the seven chakras from root to crown. The 7-Day Chakra Journey plays them in order.
• 432 Hz: For anyone looking for a softer tuning.
• Theta, Alpha, Delta, Gamma and Schumann: Recordings named after brain-wave bands and the Earth's natural resonance. The evidence that sounds like these steer brain waves is limited. People more often choose Delta or Theta before sleep and Alpha while working.

Before you begin

I'm giving these few minutes to listening alone. I let the sound carry me.

How to do it

1. Sit or lie down comfortably.
2. Pick a frequency and a length of time that suit how you feel right now.
3. Keep the volume low or medium, especially if you listen with headphones.
4. Give your attention to the sound and your breath. Don't wait for anything to happen; just listen.
5. When it ends, stay quietly for a few more breaths.

Things to keep in mind

Loud is not more effective. It only tires your ears.

If you have tinnitus, high-pitched recordings may bother you. Try lower ones or take a break.

Frequently asked questions

Does 528 Hz really repair DNA?

There is no reliable research showing that. If you enjoy listening to 528 Hz, listen; just don't think of it as a treatment.

Do I need headphones?

No. You can listen through speakers. If you wear headphones, keep the volume low and take breaks during long sessions.

How long should I listen?

You can choose anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Most people find 10 or 15 enough.

Note: The practices here are for rest and for coming back to yourself. They are not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a health condition or take medication, follow what your doctor tells you. If you feel unwell during a practice, stop.