Range, and Note Durations

A: The full-size piano covers a tremendous range: 88 keys, or 7 octaves plus four notes. Each octave contains 12 notes. Seven are white keys: A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and 5 are black keys: Bb, Db, Eb, Gb and Ab. The twelve note pattern is repeated along the keyboard, so once you know the 12 notes, you know all the notes on the keyboard.

The only difference between notes of the same name is that from octave to octave the notes sound lower or higher. There are various systems for identifying notes by the same name in different octaves. For instance, how do you indicate the first D above middle C versus the first D below middle C? One system labels the Ds as D4 and D3 (respectively), and another system labels the Ds D5 and D4 (respectively).

The first A above middle C is sometimes referred to by its frequency, "A 440," meaning that the sound frequency of the first A above middle C is 440 cycles per second. This is the standard pitch for that A for a modern symphony orchestra. The pitches of the rest of the notes are based on that A. Some classical music ensembles use a different standard. They pitch their A at 415 cycles per second, or "A 415."

Q: What does a sixteenth note sound like?

A: A sixteenth note lasts one sixteenth as long as a whole. True, that is not a practical answer to the question, but it is the truth. A sixteenth note does not have a specific pitch. It could be a G or a D or a B flat. The fact that it is a sixteenth refers only to its rhythm.

So, how long does a sixteenth note really last? To find out, you must know the tempo of the piece, the pulse. Then you must know which kind of note the pulse represents. In most cases, the pulse represents the quarter note. So, a sixteenth note would last 1/4 as long as a quarter note. In other words, four sixteenth notes would sound in the time of one quarter note.

How do you know which kind of note is receiving the pulse? You check the time signature. It almost always consists of two numbers, one above the other. The lower number indicates which kind of note receives the pulse. For instance, a four indicates a 1/4 note. A 2 indicates a 1/2 note.

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