Nomenclature

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 16 May 2007, 22:53

I've always wanted to use that word.

The thing is, I'd like to know if there's an industry standard method of describing notes in their different octaves on the keyboard.

For example, if I wanted to say to my tuner "WHY HAVEN'T YOU FIXED THAT BLOODY IRRITATING METALLIC SOUND ON THE B NATURAL ABOVE MIDDLE C?????" - what would be the correct way of describing that particular key?

I saw on a clavinova that the bottom note was called A0, the octave above A1 etc but is that the usual way? I've also seen FF-g3. What can it all mean? I can't rest until I know - I shall never again sleep until the mystery is solvzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 17 May 2007, 07:24

Openwood wrote:I've always wanted to use that word.

The thing is, I'd like to know if there's an industry standard method of describing notes in their different octaves on the keyboard.

It's different for digitals and keyboards from real pianos. Yamaha describe keys on digitals as you have described above, but acoustic piano keys are always referred to by number, so the bottom note A on the keyboard is A1, the top A is A85, the top C on most pianos (now they're 7 and a quarter octaves) is C88. Middle C is therefore C40.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 17 May 2007, 17:40

I've seen musicologists use C for middle c (I think), then, going up, cc,ccc,cccc, etc, and CC, CCC CCCC going down. I've also seen c', c'', etc., and C' C'', etc..

Tom Tuner · Post by **Tom Tuner** » 17 May 2007, 18:27

I believe that it is mostly referring to organs that that format is used. Until about 20 years ago pianos always started A1 A#2,..., then someone started numberering by octaves: A0, A#0, B0, C1, etc. , very confusing.

Tom Tuner

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 17 May 2007, 23:15

So basically there isn't one standard system. Funny old world ain't it...

Historic day at Chateau Openwood - I got a personal loan approved so I can finally buy a new C3. Dithered about it for SO long, finally summoned enough courage to make a serious financial commitment. OMIGOD!!!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 18 May 2007, 15:35

Well we hope you'll both be very happy! Ooo, I love a happy ending, me...

A440 · Post by **A440** » 04 Jul 2007, 01:05

Sorry to continue this thread but being a pedant...
Yes Yamaha ARE very confusing with their a0 etc. I've never come across it before. The easiest (and dare I say correct method) is simply A1 for the first A through to the top A8. This should be the universal system (in my humble etc...)

andyaeola · Post by **andyaeola** » 04 Jul 2007, 12:08

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 05 Jul 2007, 23:12

Andy - is that a Yamaha chart, then? It does seem odd to give a key a zero suffix. I suppose the solution is simply to ensure you and your technician are using the same system, whatever it may be.

Odd that such a fundamental point of reference isn't standardised.

andyaeola · Post by **andyaeola** » 06 Jul 2007, 11:50

It's from a www.vibrationdata.com tutorial though is used on various sites:

http://www.vibrationdata.com/piano.htm

Regards

Andy

UK Piano Page Piano Forum

Nomenclature

Nomenclature

Re: Nomenclature

nomencature