Piano Guidance
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What note is C4?

This beginner piano lesson is all about the musical note, middle C. This note is designated C4 in scientific pitch notation because of its position as the fourth C key on an 88-key piano. It has a frequency of 261.6 Hz.

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This beginner piano lesson is all about the musical note, middle C. This note is designated C4 in scientific pitch notation because of its position as the fourth C key on an 88-key piano. It has a frequency of 261.6 Hz. Perhaps, you already know that there are 7 natural notes in music, by the way. They are A-B-C-D-E-F-G. First of all let us find out where all the C’s are located on your piano or keyboard. Take a good look at the black keys on your keyboard. You will realize that they are arranged in groups of two and three. This repeats over and over. The note, C is to the immediate left of each set of two black keys. There are 8 C naturals on an 88-key piano, 6 C naturals on a 76-key, 6 C naturals on a 61-key keyboard and 5 C naturals on a 49-key keyboard. It’s very important to find middle C because it is the starting point for many piano songs, especially for beginners. When starting to learn piano, most books make their easiest pieces start on this note. It’s also a general border for keys played with the left hand and those played with the right hand. In other words, those keys to the left of this piano key are usually played with the left hand while those to its right are usually played with the right hand.

So which of all these C notes is middle C?

It’s quite easy. This note, as the name suggests is in the middle of your 88-key piano keyboard. Well, not exactly in the middle, but close enough, and of all the C’s on your piano, it is the one nearest to the middle. Position yourself at the center of your piano. It’s the centermost C. The following diagram shows middle C on a 49 key, 61 key, 76 key and 88 key keyboard/piano. On an 88-key piano, starting from the lowest note on your keyboard and moving higher, middle C is the fourth C you can count.

How about keyboards with less keys?

On a 76-key, 61-key and 49-key keyboard, it’s the third C. If you’re not sure how many keys are on your keyboard, all you have to do is count all the keys, black and white. We can use another method to find this key. On an 88-key piano, it’s the 24th white key from the left. On a 76-key keyboard, it’s the 20th white key. On a 61-key keyboard, it’s the 15th white key. On a 49 key keyboard, it’s the 15th white key. In music notation, middle C is the tone represented by a note on the first ledger (leger) line below the treble clef or the first ledger line above the bass clef. The following diagram shows you this note on the grand staff. You will notice that it is between the treble clef and bass clef.

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Understanding Upright Piano – Types and Dimensions Spinet Piano. A spinet piano is the shortest and the smallest of the vertical pianos. ... Console Piano. A console piano generally measures between 40″ to 44″ (102cm to 111cm) tall. ... Studio Piano. ... Professional or Upright Piano.

A spinet piano is the shortest and the smallest of the vertical pianos. It is typically less than 40″ tall (below 101cm) when measured from the top of the lid to the bottom of the piano. The top of the piano comes just a few inches above the keys, and spinet pianos have a drop action mechanism where the action is located just below, operated by vertical wires that are attached to the backs of the keys. The shorter keys and rods connect each key to the rest of the action, and as there is no full length key that interacts directly with the action, it is known as indirect blow action (drop action). Spinet pianos are compact and is a great option for confined spaces. They cost less than other upright pianos. However, the quality of sound may be less than satisfying due to their configuration of keys and strings. Spinets are currently no longer manufactured and we hardly import them here in Setapak showroom. Find more information about spinets here [Wiki].

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