Photo: Martino Grua

Is middle C the middle of the piano?

The middle of all keyboards Middle C is a basic foundation note. It is the first note that beginning pianists learn to find on the piano. It is on the outside left side of the group of two black keys in the middle of the piano. However, middle C is not called middle C because it is in the middle of the piano.

skoove.com - Middle C on the piano: Why is it so important? - Skoove

How long does it take to be fluent at guitar?

More Arbitrary Ratings of Proficiency Level Hours Needed Daily Practice Investment Basic 312.5 156 days Beginning 625 10 months Intermediate 1250...

Last updated Jul 9, 2019

Can pianists have nails?

The exact length may depend some on preference, but generally, your nails should be short enough for you to be able to easily feel the key with the...

Last updated May 21, 2019

Promotion

Middle C is often the first note the beginners learn to identify on the piano. It is a solid foundation to begin any piano study. This article will answer the most common questions about Middle C.

Why middle C is called middle C?

How do you find middle C on the keyboard?

Are there any practice exercises beginning from middle C?

Start your musical journey Fall in love with the music - Learn your favorite songs; whether they're classical, pop, jazz or film music, all at a level that suits you. Learn your favorite songs; whether they're classical, pop, jazz or film music, all at a level that suits you. Enjoy interactive piano lessons - Learn with courses that help you master everything from music theory, chords, technique and more. Learn with courses that help you master everything from music theory, chords, technique and more. Get real-time feedback - Improve your practice with rich feedback as Skoove listens to your playing and highlights what went well and areas for improvement. 1 month free trial No credit card details required Start your piano journey now!

How to find middle C on the piano

Middle C is quite easy to find on the piano. Take a minute to look at the keyboard. Do you notice any patterns in the arrangement of the keys? The piano keys are organized into groups of two and three black keys. This layout is a useful tool for developing great piano technique. Find the group of two black keys more or less in the middle of the piano. Take a look at this diagram if you are lost: Middle C is the key on the outside left hand side of the group of two black keys in the middle of the piano. You can label piano keys, and here it is labeled on an 88 key keyboard:

And here it is labeled on a 61 key keyboard:

Not too difficult, right? Now that you know how to find middle C on the piano, stand up, walk to the other side of the room, come back to the piano and find it again. Repeat this exercise 5 or 10 times until you are comfortable finding middle C every single time. Nice work!

Why is middle C called middle C?

At this point you may have noticed that middle C is sort of in the middle of the keyboard. It is not truly the middle. What note is in the middle of an 88 key keyboard? Try this: start at the lowest note and the highest note and work your way to the note in the middle. What do you find?

What race was the first human?

Evidence still suggests that all modern humans are descended from an African population of Homo sapiens that spread out of Africa about 60,000...

Last updated May 14, 2019

What kind of music do people with ADHD like?

Classical music by composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi are just some examples of music with a structured rhythm that has worked well with...

Last updated Jan 26, 2022

Promotion

There is no note that fits perfectly in the middle of the keyboard!

What about a 61 key keyboard? If you have a 61 key instrument, practice this same exercise. What do you discover?

A 61 key instrument has a key that fits perfectly in the middle. That note is called F sharp. But, if middle C is not in the middle of the piano, then why is it called middle C? The answer requires a little more explanation.

The grand staff

Middle C is called middle C because it is in the middle of the grand staff. Piano music is most commonly notated on the grand staff. The grand staff is the combination of treble and bass clef joined together with a bracket. The grand staff looks like this: The treble clef is the tool most commonly used to notate music in the right hand on the piano. Middle C is notated here in treble clef: The Bass clef is the tool most commonly used to notate music in the left hand on the piano. The bass clef notes are most commonly found below middle C.d

Middle C is notated here in bass clef:

These are the same note. On the grand staff, this note is located here:

See how this C note is directly in the middle of the grand staff? This is why this C is called middle C, not because it happens to be sort of close to the middle of the keyboard. Cool, right?

Go to the lesson

A basic warmup exercise from middle C

With your right hand, find middle C with your first finger (your thumb). Play middle C with your first finger, followed by the next key, D with your second finger (index finger), then the next key E with your third finger (middle finger), followed by the next key F with your fourth finger (ring finger), and finally G with your fifth finger (pinky finger). You have now played all the white keys from C-G in sequential order with each of your five fingers. This is the first half of the exercise. Now you will play the second half. Start with your fifth finger (pinky finger) on G, followed by your fourth finger (ring finger) on F, your third finger (middle finger) on E, your second finger (index finger) on D and finally your first finger back on middle C (thumb).

What is the most common instrument learned?

The 7 Most Popular Musical Instruments that Students Learn Guitars. As the most popular musical instrument, the guitar has attracted the teenage...

Last updated Oct 28, 2019

Who murdered berneice's father?

Review for The Piano Lesson (copy) A B Who murdered Berniece's father? Robert Sutter What was the name of the first Berniece's mistress? Ophelia I...

Last updated May 14, 2020

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

Follow the diagram of the keys below if you get a little lost: Practice this exercise up and down a few times until you feel comfortable with the movement. When you feel comfortable, repeat the exercise with your left hand. Begin with your left hand fifth finger (pinky finger) on middle C, fourth finger (ring finger) on D, third finger (middle finger) on E, second finger (index finger) on F, and first finger (thumb) on G. Now descend from G with your first finger, second finger on F, third finger on E, fourth finger on D, and finally pinky finger on middle C. Congratulations! You can practice this warmup from any note by following the same finger pattern, but it is especially useful for finding and practicing from middle C.

Go to the lesson

The middle of all keyboards

Middle C is a basic foundation note. It is the first note that beginning pianists learn to find on the piano. It is on the outside left side of the group of two black keys in the middle of the piano. However, middle C is not called middle C because it is in the middle of the piano. Middle C is called middle C because it is in the middle of the grand staff, the combination of treble and bass clef that piano music is most commonly notated on!

For more information on middle C, check out this awesome video:

Start free trial

Author of this blog post

Eddie Bond is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and music instructor currently based in Seattle, Washington USA. He has performed extensively in the US, Canada, Argentina, and China, released over 40 albums, and has over a decade experience working with music students of all ages and ability levels.

Share this article

skoove.com - Middle C on the piano: Why is it so important? - Skoove

What is jazz piano called?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Stride jazz piano, often abbreviated to stride, is a jazz piano style that arose from ragtime...

Last updated Jul 25, 2022

What is the most valuable guitar?

Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D18E ($6,000,000) Topping our list of the most expensive guitars ever sold is yet another acoustic, but not just another...

Last updated Dec 11, 2019

Promotion

Did you know facts about piano?

Fun Piano Facts The first piano was invented in 1709 by an Italian harpsichord maker Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori. The piano was first called...

Last updated Dec 25, 2021

Promotion

Is Roland piano better than Yamaha?

Both models are great for beginners to get familiar with digital pianos and start to learn to play. While Yamaha offers more sonic versatility,...

Last updated Jun 17, 2022