[Harp-L] Middle C question

[Deb <deb.wind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

michael rubin wrote:
> I have a student who is reading some piano books.  He says there are
> numbers after the letter C, for example, C0, C1, C2 thru C8.  He
> wanted it explained.   

The piano is divided into 8 octaves. Each full octave is assigned a 
number. For the first three notes of the bass (A, A#, and B) they are 
designated as "A0", A#0, and B0). The first C of the full octave above 
B0 is denoted C1, as it's the first C of the first full octave (and D1, 
E1, F1, etc.). The second C of the next octave is designated as C2 (and 
D2, E2, F2, etc.) all the way up to C8, the highest treble note on the 
piano keyboard. Middle C is "C4". On a standard tuned Chromatic Middle C 
is always Hole 1 Blow.

On the Treble Clef,  Middle C is that note on the (added) line below the 
bottom line of the Treble Clef, (which is E4).  C5 is in the third space 
from the bottom, or, to look at it another way, the second space down 
from the top (which is E5). The lines go, from bottom to top: E, G, B, 
D, and F ("Every Good Boy Does Fine"). The spaces are F, A, C, E 
("FACE"). The space directly below the first line of the Treble Clef is D4.

The lines for the Bass Clef are different. Lines are, from bottom to 
top: G,B, D, F, A ("Great Big Dogs Fight Animals" - with G being "G2" 
and A being A3) and the spaces are A, C, E, G ("All Cows Eat Grass")  
Middle C is that note situated in between the Bass Clef and the Treble 
Clef on an added line between the two clefs.

Does this help any?

Deb
EarthDogHarpin