middle C

noun

, Music.

1. the note indicated by the first leger line above the bass staff and the first below the treble staff.

middle C

noun

1. music the note graphically represented on the first ledger line below the treble staff or the first ledger line above the bass staff and corresponding in pitch to an internationally standardized fundamental frequency of 261.63 hertz

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle C¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

In one passage shortly after Emile’s first entrance, Blanchard originally called for high G’s, which now have been lowered to B’s, one step below middle C.

From Seattle Times

“It’s like the middle C, and a couple of keys on either side of it on a piano keyboard.”

From Los Angeles Times

The solo is staged within two octaves, dipping only once as low as the area of middle C, spelled by infrequent breath-like rests, a minimal reliance on triplets, and a few heady riff episodes.

From New York Times

Figure 1.7: All of the notes on this staff are middle C.

From Literature

Just stay on middle C—a fine rule of thumb.

From Washington Post