How To Play Middle C On The Piano: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Play Middle C on the Piano PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Melissa McDermott

Last Updated: May 15, 2025 References

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  • Standard Method
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  • Counting Method
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  • Video
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  • Expert Interview
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  • Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Melissa McDermott. Melissa McDermott is a Musician and accomplished Social Media Manager at coBranding Studio based in New York City. She has over seven years of experience teaching piano and music theory, she currently works as a Piano Instructor at O DiBella Music Inc. Additionally, she specializes in creating meaningful, informative, and quality social media content for health and wellness brands and musicians. Melissa received her B.A. in popular music studies from William Paterson University. This article has been viewed 129,632 times.

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Standard Method

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  1. Step 1 Look at the black colored keys of the keyboard. 1 Look at the black colored keys of the keyboard. 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. Step 2 Find the group... 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]
    • The five keys must be ordered as two keys group then three keys group, not the other way around.
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  3. Step 3 Find the group of two black keys in the group you located in the previous step. 3 Find the group of two black keys in the group you located in the previous step.[2]
  4. Step 4 Middle-C will be... 4 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.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Counting Method

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  1. Step 1 Find out the number of keys you keyboard has in total (counting both black and white keys). 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[3]
  2. Step 2 According to the... 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:[4]
    • 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 15th white key)
      • The third group of five black keys.
    • 49 Keys: 14 keys (Middle-C is the 15th white key)
      • The third group of five black keys.
    • 24 Keys, 25 Keys: 7 keys (Middle-C is the 8th 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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Community Q&A

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  • Question I have 85 keys on my piano. Where is Middle C? Hale y Mail Hale y Mail 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). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
  • Question Where is middle C on a music staff? IncredibleGuinevere IncredibleGuinevere Community Answer MIddle C is the note below the D under the staff for treble clef. The note has a line going through it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
  • Question Where is "middle C"? Community Answer 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 6
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Tips

  • 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.[5] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • 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. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about musical notes, check out our in-depth interview with Melissa McDermott.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACJjSRqveqM
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCIEcgRnMZc
  3. ↑ http://www.piano-keyboard-guide.com/piano-keyboard-diagram.html
  4. ↑ http://www.piano-keyboard-guide.com/middle-c.html
  5. ↑ Melissa McDermott. Designer & Social Media Manager. Expert Interview

About This Article

Melissa McDermott Co-authored by: Melissa McDermott Music Instructor This article was co-authored by Melissa McDermott. Melissa McDermott is a Musician and accomplished Social Media Manager at coBranding Studio based in New York City. She has over seven years of experience teaching piano and music theory, she currently works as a Piano Instructor at O DiBella Music Inc. Additionally, she specializes in creating meaningful, informative, and quality social media content for health and wellness brands and musicians. Melissa received her B.A. in popular music studies from William Paterson University. This article has been viewed 129,632 times. 18 votes - 75% Co-authors: 14 Updated: May 15, 2025 Views: 129,632 Categories: Featured Articles | Learning Piano In other languages Spanish Japanese
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    Komaravolu Rao

    May 11, 2016

    "Very nicely placed. I have become a tutor myself and enjoyed learning."
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Melissa McDermott Co-authored by: Melissa McDermott Music Instructor 18 votes - 75% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 14 Updated: May 15, 2025 Views: 129,632 Komaravolu Rao

Komaravolu Rao

May 11, 2016

"Very nicely placed. I have become a tutor myself and enjoyed learning." Share yours!

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