Octave designation


Octave designations provide a method to correctly identfy every possible musical note from the lowest to highest pitches. The first system was created by Guido d'Arezzo in the 11th century called Gamut (from the lowest note in the scale "gamma ut"). This system was used through the 18th century. Hermann von Helmholtz (German acoustician) developed a system based on the notes of the organ. There are alternate ways to express the unique octaves, two of which are shown. This is probably the most recognized system in the field of music. The Acoustical Society of America adopted yet another system that numbers the octaves from the lowest to the highest.

Table of Octave Designations

 
 
Sub-Contra Octave
Contra Octave
Great Octave
Sub-Contra Octave
Contra Octave
Great Octave
A2 - B2
C1 - B1
 C - B 
AAA -BBB
CC - BB
C - B
A0 - B0
C1 - B1
C2 - B2
Small Octave
One-Line Octave
Two-Line Octave
Small Octave

One-Line Octave

Two-Line Octave
c - b 
c1 - b1
c2 - b2
c - b 
c' - b'
c'' - b''
C3 - B3
C4 - B4
C5 - B5
Three-Line Octave
Four-Line Octave
Five-Line Octave
Three-Line Octave
Four-Line Octave
Five-Line Octave
c3 - b3
c4 - b4
c5
c''' - b'''
c'''' - b''''
C'''''
C6 - B6
C7 - B7
C8
Helmholtz System
Alternate Helmholtz System
Acoustical Society of America System

More about octave designations; More about pitch
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