How to Play Middle C on the Piano

Co-authored by Melissa McDermott

Last Updated: October 1, 2023 References

Middle-C or C4 is very important in understanding music theory and playing almost any instrument. But how can we find middle-C on the keyboard of a piano (or almost any kind of musical keyboard like E-Pianos and Synthesizers)? This article will guide you through.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Standard Method

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You'll find they're organized in groups of twos and threes. That is, two black keys with one white key in between them, then, going right, two adjacent white keys, then three black keys with one white key between each one and the next, then again, two adjacent white keys, and the pattern repeats again.
2
Find the group of five black keys right in the middle of the keyboard (or at least, the group that is almost in the middle for smaller keyboards).^{[1]
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- The five keys must be ordered as two keys group then three keys group, not the other way around.
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Middle-C will be the white key immediately below (to the left of) the first black key of the two keys you found in the previous step.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Counting Method

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1
Find out the number of keys you keyboard has in total (counting both black and white keys).
- Usually, manufacturers create keyboards with standard keys count starting at 88 keys (the grand piano has 88 keys), 76 keys, 61 keys, 49 keys, 24 keys and finally, sometimes even 12 keys^{[4]
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2
According to the number of keys in your piano, count the following number of white keys going from the left-most side of the piano in the right direction:^{[5]
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- 88 Keys: 23 keys (Middle-C is the ^24th white key)
  - You can also find the group of five black keys easier as the fourth group of 5 black keys, then use the method above.
- 76 Keys: 19 keys (Middle-C is the ^20th white key)
  - The third group of 5 black keys (there usually is a group of three black keys at the left side at first, don't count those)
- 61 Keys: 14 keys (Middle-C is the 15^th white key)
  - The third group of five black keys.
- 49 Keys: 14 keys (Middle-C is the 15^th white key)
  - The third group of five black keys.
- 24 Keys, 25 Keys: 7 keys (Middle-C is the 8^th white key)
  - Second group of 5 black keys
- Other non standard sizes: use the standard method mentioned earlier in this article

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Question

I have 85 keys on my piano. Where is Middle C?

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Community Answer

Counting left to right, it's the 24th white key. Pianos with 85 keys are older than pianos with 88 keys and miss three keys on the right end of the piano (Bb7, B7, C8).

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Where is middle C on a music staff?

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MIddle C is the note below the D under the staff for treble clef. The note has a line going through it.

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Where is "middle C"?

Community Answer

C can be found immediately to the right of the groupings of two black keys. If you place your fingers at either end of the keyboard and work your way, one at a time, to the middle, your fingers will meet at F; the next-lowest C is middle C.

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Tips

It is better to use the standard method. The counting method is just mentioned as a last resort alternative for those who just want to find Middle-C.

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Look for the company's name on the piano. It should be right above the keys. Middle C should be right below the first letter of the company's name, or at least close to it.

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