What are white keys on a piano made from?

Answer 1

Starting from middle C, with a | showing placement of the black key:

C | D | E F | G | A | B C.

The location of A may appear to be asymmetrical:

F | G | A |

But bearing in mind that only seven letter-names are used, any search for symmetry should NOT include the octave of the first note, A. Therefore, the following notes remain: A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

To see the symmetry of the present naming system, slip a small piece of cardboard, such as a business card, in the exact center of a group of 3 black keys (that is, between the white keys, G and A). Do the same on the next group of 3 black keys. In between, we find the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

This keyboard symmetry cannot be accomplished by taking any other white key and naming it A!

If the octave of the first note is included, then our present "D" would be the ideal location for the name, "A" (being the only symmetrical octave of white keys.) This would imply that the first scale we learn (C major) would now be called A major!

There is no keyboard-symmetrical major scale. But since the scale of C major is the only major scale which can be played on white keys alone, wouldn't it have been wise to call that note "A" instead of "C"? This would result in the following keyboard names:

A | B | C D | E | F | G A

In Key Signatures, the "order of sharps" would become: D, A, E, B, F, C, G. The "sharp" major keys would be named A (0#), E (1#), etc.

The "order of flats" would become: G, C, F, B, E, A, D. The "flat" major keys would become A (0b), D (1b), etc.

The above is actually correct for the minor keys!

Sorry if I've gone astray from the question, but I sincerely hope to stimulate some THINKING about our present note-naming system...its pros, its cons.

Of course, we can't hope to change centuries of tradition! Historically, modes were considered more important than major or minor scales, when it came to assigning letter-names! The Aeolian mode (in which A is the Tonic) seems to dominate, being the only "natural minor" scale which can be played on white keys alone, from A to A. Also of great importance is the Dorian mode, (in which D is the tonic, playable on white keys alone, from D to D. Notice that, in both the Aeolian and Dorian Modes, the first 5 notes consist of the same patterns of tones and semitones, as well as the 7th note. The ONLY note which separates these two modes is the 6th note...in the Aeolian mode the sixth note is a minor 6th (8 semitones) above the Tonic. In the Dorian mode the sixth note is a major 6th (9 semitones) above the tonic. BOTH are used in our present Melodic Minor Scale.

Answer 2

The white keys on a piano were formerly made of ivory. Since ivory imports were stopped (except for fossil ivory) some years ago, all but the most expensive pianos and keyboards have had keys made of acrylic plastic.

Answer 3

The order normally goes C D E F G A B. That is repeated over and over again. the black notes in between are quite easy as well. flat notes are left to the white keys. so left to G is G flat. The same principle goes with sharps but it is to the right. so to the right of G would be G#.

Answer 4

The black keys are called the "sharps" or "flats", depending on whether or not they are high or low. The white keys are called "naturals".

Answer 5

The White keys go: C D E F G A B C e.t.c The black notes are the flat or sharp notes of a keyboard.

Answer 6

They are simply called the white keys.

Natural notes

Answer 7

Ivorys The black ones are ebonys

Answer 8

Naturals.