B (musical note)

B, also known as Si, Ti, or, in most European countries, H, is the seventh note of the fixed-Do solfège. It has an enharmonic equivalent of C, which is by definition a diatonic semitone above B. B is also enharmonic with A.

When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle B (B4) is approximately 493.883 Hz. See pitch (music) for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.

Designation by octave

Scientific designation Helmholtz designation Bilinear music notation Octave name Frequency (Hz)
B1 B͵͵͵ or ͵͵͵B or BBBB (-uB) Subsubcontra 15.434
B0 B͵͵ or ͵͵B or BBB (-vB) Subcontra 30.868
B1 B͵ or ͵B or BB (-wB) Contra 61.735
B2 B (-xB) Great 123.471
B3 b (-yB) Small 246.942
B4 b (zB) One-lined 493.883
B5 b (yB) Two-lined 987.767
B6 b (xB) Three-lined 1975.533
B7 b (wB) Four-lined 3951.066
B8 b (vB) Five-lined 7902.133
B9 b (uB) Six-lined 15804.266
B10 b (tB) Seven-lined 31608.532

Scales

Common scales beginning on B

Diatonic scales

Jazz Melodic Minor

Variation of meaning by geographical region

The referent of the musical note B varies by location. See note for a discussion on other differences in letter naming of the notes.

In the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Netherlands, as described above, B usually refers to the note a semitone below C, while B-flat refers to the note a whole tone below C.

However, in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, the label B is used for what, above, is called B-flat, and the note a semitone below C is called H. This makes possible certain spellings which are otherwise impossible, such as the BACH motif.

See also

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