Reg, I learned the Helmholz and it makes more sense to me than the other. The other system expects singers to count to *7*. I mean, really!! Cindy Donnell
No matter how I try, unless I have a chart in front of me I'm bound to get it wrong , so even though some may wish it otherwise, there are still two systems of numbering in common use.The newer American system insists on numbering from the low end of the keyboard to the top end. C1 to C7. That's C1 10 leger lines below the bottom of the bass staff, to C7 which is 10 leger lines above the top of the treble staff. Of course there's no C without a subscript, but who can argue with American logic? Now the Helmholtz system hinges (present tense) around the c which is the second space of the bass staff. That's logical I'm sure you'll agree because it's regarded as the lower extreme of the tenor voice, about which the vocal world also pivots:) That's lower case c with no subscript. All C's below that c use UPPER CASE and all above that same c use LOWER CASE. Of course subscript numbers count down to the left, almost, and upward to the right. See, simple. This means middle c is c1 not C4. Phew! Notice particularly the large scale ink saving by using upper and lower case c's to specify the octave below c and NO subscript. OK I concede that without a comparison on hand one may confuse a c with a C . So what momentary consideration and flourish of the hand led to this below being regarded as an improvement?
USA Standards Assn. C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 or C1 C c c1 c2 c3 c4 Helmholtz.. See logical isn't it? No heavy handed new world efficiency here. A heavy C for a heavy voice and an artfully light c for the glitteratte with middle c given its due as c1no clumsy C4 . Ye Gods, didn't these guys, (and I bet they were guys,) understand the importance of middle c? ........ the only leger line between the two staves. Please....can't we call middle c c1 ? Alright, don't newk me, C4. Then how about C3 C2 C1 C 1C 2C 3C ok ok geez hold with the fruit.
grumble grumble..can't even spell potatoes sheeet : (
Regards Reg
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