Middle C (C4) is the first note of the fixed solfège scale and the half-way point on the piano keyboard. It is called middle C because it is the centermost C on a standard 88-key piano, 4 octaves from the left end of the keyboard.
Notation of Middle C on Different Clefs
Across a variety of instruments and clefs, middle C is often referred to by musicians. In piano performance, middle C serves as an approximate border between notes played with the left hand (bass notes) and notes played with the right (treble notes). In sheet music, middle C is written on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first ledger line above the bass staff.
Treble Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line below the staffBass Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line above the staffAlto Clef: Middle C is notated on the middle (third) line of the staffTenor Clef: Middle C is notated on the fourth line of the staff
Tuning of Middle C
In concert pitch, which is A440, middle C resonates at a frequency of 261.626 Hz. In scientific pitch notation, middle C is designated as C4.
Middle C Synonyms
Although commonly called middle C, there are other names that are often used to describe this pitch:
C4; MIDI #60c1 (U.K. pitch notation)do3; do centrale (It)do3; do central (Fr)c i; eingestrichenes C (Ger)
Learn how to locate middle C on the piano or on different sizes of keyboards.
Middle C (C4) is the first note of the fixed solfège scale and the half-way point on the piano keyboard. It is called middle C because it is the centermost C on a standard 88-key piano, 4 octaves from the left end of the keyboard.
Notation of Middle C on Different Clefs
Across a variety of instruments and clefs, middle C is often referred to by musicians. In piano performance, middle C serves as an approximate border between notes played with the left hand (bass notes) and notes played with the right (treble notes). In sheet music, middle C is written on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first ledger line above the bass staff.
Treble Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line below the staffBass Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line above the staffAlto Clef: Middle C is notated on the middle (third) line of the staffTenor Clef: Middle C is notated on the fourth line of the staff
Tuning of Middle C
In concert pitch, which is A440, middle C resonates at a frequency of 261.626 Hz. In scientific pitch notation, middle C is designated as C4.
Middle C Synonyms
Although commonly called middle C, there are other names that are often used to describe this pitch:
C4; MIDI #60c1 (U.K. pitch notation)do3; do centrale (It)do3; do central (Fr)c i; eingestrichenes C (Ger)
Learn how to locate middle C on the piano or on different sizes of keyboards.
Middle C (C4) is the first note of the fixed solfège scale and the half-way point on the piano keyboard. It is called middle C because it is the centermost C on a standard 88-key piano, 4 octaves from the left end of the keyboard.
Notation of Middle C on Different Clefs
Across a variety of instruments and clefs, middle C is often referred to by musicians. In piano performance, middle C serves as an approximate border between notes played with the left hand (bass notes) and notes played with the right (treble notes). In sheet music, middle C is written on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first ledger line above the bass staff.
Treble Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line below the staffBass Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line above the staffAlto Clef: Middle C is notated on the middle (third) line of the staffTenor Clef: Middle C is notated on the fourth line of the staff
Tuning of Middle C
In concert pitch, which is A440, middle C resonates at a frequency of 261.626 Hz. In scientific pitch notation, middle C is designated as C4.
Middle C Synonyms
Although commonly called middle C, there are other names that are often used to describe this pitch:
C4; MIDI #60c1 (U.K. pitch notation)do3; do centrale (It)do3; do central (Fr)c i; eingestrichenes C (Ger)
Learn how to locate middle C on the piano or on different sizes of keyboards.
Middle C (C4) is the first note of the fixed solfège scale and the half-way point on the piano keyboard. It is called middle C because it is the centermost C on a standard 88-key piano, 4 octaves from the left end of the keyboard.
Notation of Middle C on Different Clefs
Across a variety of instruments and clefs, middle C is often referred to by musicians. In piano performance, middle C serves as an approximate border between notes played with the left hand (bass notes) and notes played with the right (treble notes). In sheet music, middle C is written on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first ledger line above the bass staff.
- Treble Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line below the staffBass Clef: Middle C is notated on the first ledger line above the staffAlto Clef: Middle C is notated on the middle (third) line of the staffTenor Clef: Middle C is notated on the fourth line of the staff
Tuning of Middle C
In concert pitch, which is A440, middle C resonates at a frequency of 261.626 Hz. In scientific pitch notation, middle C is designated as C4.
Middle C Synonyms
Although commonly called middle C, there are other names that are often used to describe this pitch:
- C4; MIDI #60c1 (U.K. pitch notation)do3; do centrale (It)do3; do central (Fr)c i; eingestrichenes C (Ger)
Learn how to locate middle C on the piano or on different sizes of keyboards.
