Let's memorize note names and 12 notes | Easy explanation of the relationship between do-re-mi, CDE, and black keys

When learning composition and chords, the first thing you need to know is the note name. On a piano keyboard, 12 types of tones are repeated, including the white and black keys.

Correspondence between Doremi and CDE

C is C, D is D, E is E, F is F, G is G, A is A, and B is B. Many DAWs and plug-ins are written in English, so remembering the order of CDEFGAB will make it easier to operate.

White keys and black keys

A black key between white keys is represented as a sharp, which is a semitone higher than the original note, or a flat, which is a semitone lower than the original note. The black key to the right of C is C sharp, and when viewed from D it is D flat.

Semitones and whole tones

The distance you move from one key to the next on the keyboard is a semitone, and the distance you move two keys to the next is a whole tone. C to C sharp is a semitone, C to D is a whole tone. However, there is no black key between E and F, and B and C, so they are semitones apart.

The same height may be called by different names

Even though they are the same note on the keyboard, the names change depending on the key and role of the song, such as C sharp and D flat. At first, it is enough to understand that they refer to the same keyboard.

Octave

If you advance 12 steps from C to the next C, you will get the higher note of the same note name. This interval is one octave. Although the pitch of the sound changes, it is perceived as the same type of sound.

Notation in DAW

The numbers C3 and C4 indicate the octave position. Depending on the DAW, the middle C is called C3 or C4, so check the actual note, not just the number.

First, find C on the keyboard and play CDEFGAB in order. Next, playing 12 notes in semitone increments will help you understand how scales and chords work.