Piano key notation
Malcolm Stewart
The subject is Piano Key notation:
- the following section is quoted from the FAQ. V1.7b
My Yamaha CLP860 manual however shows a range from A-1 to C7, with middle C
being C3. This seems to be an octave away from the RPT system. Are Yamaha
wrong, or did someone not tell them?
I'm surprised that the FAQ suggests "judge for yourself which system is
being used. In most cases, that shouldn't be too difficult." I'm afraid
I disagree.
/Start quote-----------------------------------------------
[7] How Do I Represent Notes Using "Text" Characters?
There are three major notation systems being used rather
frequently today. When you see a notation on your screen,
you will have to judge for yourself which system is being
used. In most cases, that shouldn't be too difficult. For
instance if you see "RPT" written after the poster's name,
you can probably assume they are using the "piano technician"
notation (RPT = Registered Piano Technician). And if you
start seeing numbers higher than "7" being used after the
pitch, you probably can assume the "MIDI" notation system is
being used.
[7.1] The "General" notation method
There is a simple alpha-numeric notation system which has
been in existence for some time and which may be used in
postings on the Internet. It is as follows:
Going up starting at middle C: c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 a1 b1
Continuing up the next octave: c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 a2 b2
And the octaves above that: c3 etc.
...and so on...
First octave below middle C: c d e f g a b
Next octave lower: C D E F G A B
Next octave lower: C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 A1 B1
...and so on...
However, if you decide to print this out in hard-copy,
publications rules change. On hard-copy, the numerals in
the upper octaves are written as superscripts, and those
below middle-C are written as subscripts.
Source: Baker, Theodore, Ed., "Pronouncing Pocket-Manual
of Musical Terms", G. Schirmer, Inc., New York, 1947.
[7.2] The "Piano Technician" notation method
Some piano technicians seem to prefer a different system,
which starts with A0 at the bottom and ends with C8 at the
top:
A0 B0
C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 A1 B1
C2 D2 E2 etc.
...and so on, until you reach C8
[7.3] The "MIDI file" notation method
The MIDI files sequentially number keys from 1 at the bottom
to 88 at the top:
A1 A#2 B3 C4 ... B87 C88
--------------------------------------------------- End quote/
Of course we all know where middle C is - that's the one near the lock
mechanism, but my CLP860 doesn't have a lock <g>
--
M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm
Wayne Fulton
>>There are three major notation systems being used rather frequently today.
There may be four, Yamaha uses their A1 nomenclature frequently too. <g>
Second FAQ mistake is that MIDI does not number the first of 88 piano keys
as number 1.
The keys are numbered, but instead middle C is MIDI key number 60, which is
near the middle of the MIDI range of 0 to 127. The black and white keys are
numbered from there. 60 is divisible by 12, so the lowest possible MIDI
note would be C too, but it is lower than exists on pianos. All possible
MIDI C keys are key numbers 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108.
The 88 piano keys run from MIDI key 21 to key 108.
The first MIDI octave is octave 0, the second MIDI octave is octave 1, etc.
The piano's lowest A is key 21, which is in MIDI Octave 1.
So, Yahama calls it A1, B1, C2, D2, etc for the humans.
Your instrument is a MIDI device. The MIDI nomenclature of "key number" is
ideal for computers, but it isnt very handy for humans.
Wayne Fulton
It was right except the first MIDI octave is -1, second is 0,
so Yamaha names the keys A-1, B-1, C0, D0, etc.
See this MIDI chart: (scroll down a little)
http://users.argonet.co.uk/users/lenny/midi/help/notes.html
There are other conventions for numbering the MIDI octaves too,
but Yamaha uses this one, and starts at A-1.
Malcolm Stewart
"Wayne Fulton" <nos...@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:m-OdneqWPpy...@august.net...
Thanks for the clarification.
Radu Focshaner
"Malcolm Stewart"
Interesting and beautiful pictures, Malcolm. However, in each "gallery", you
should put a link back to the main index.
r.