Pitch Notation & Octave Naming

Pitch Class & Octave Naming

Pitch class simply refers to an octave from one C to the next. In pitch notation, the notes C4, D4, and B4 belong to the same pitch class: the fourth octave.

But, pitch notation is just one way of referencing notes. Each octave, as well as each C, has its own universal name. These are as follows:

• Octave Names (pictured above):
  
  C0 - B0: sub-contra octave (A0 is the lowest pitch on a full piano)
  
  C1 - B1: contra octave
  
  C2 - B2: great octave
  
  C3 - B3: small octave
  
  C4 - B4: one-line octave, or 2nd small octave (contains both middle C and A440)
  
  C5 - B5: two-line octave, or 3rd small octave
  
  C6 - B6: three-line octave, or 4th small octave
  
  C7 - B7: four-line octave, or 5th small octave
  
  C8 - B8: five-line octave, or 6th small octave (C8 is the highest pitch on a full piano)



• Names of the C-Notes:
  
  C0: triple pedal C
  
  C1: double pedal C
  
  C2: pedal C
  
  C3: bass C
  
  C4: middle C
  
  C5: treble C
  
  C6: top C or high C
  
  C7: double top C or double high C
  
  C8: triple top C or triple high C

• Scientific Pitch Notation & Other Note-Naming Systems
• Pitch Class & Octave Names