Middle "C"

[Jack_Daniels]

I'm guessing the easiest way to convert guitar tabs to mando tabs would be to actually convert the guitar tabs to sheet music. Ok so it my not be the easiest way to do it but I prefer sheet music over tabs. Anyway, knowing that the C note, (A string / 3rd fret) on a mandolin is considered the middle C in sheet music, what string/fret combinations would be the middle C on a guitar?

Jason

[John Flynn]

The A string / 3rd fret on a mandolin is not middle C. That would be the G string, 5th fret. On the guitar, it is the A string / 3rd fret.

[fiddle5]

Standard Notation is the only way to go , every instrument can read it, and it takes no less time to learn standard notation as it does Tab. The benefit is that you will be forced to understand theory, for all the instruments you play.

Quick note to compare guitar music to mandolin; A mandolin is exactly one octave above your guitar. If you put your capo on the twelve fret of your guitar , you'd be playing the same octave as your mandolin.


mike

[Michael H Geimer]

" The benefit is that you will be forced to understand theory, for all the instruments you play. "
- fiddle5

Right on! Sounds like Jack_Daniels is already on board with notation, but I always try to poke my head for support whenever notation comes up.

It's probably worth noting that if you're considering moving a piece from one instrument to another, the choice of which octave to play the part in becomes somewhat arbitrary - the choice really is yours, in that you might want to set the piece wherever it falls best for the target instrument, or wherever it sits best when playing with accompanyment. Worrying about whether you're truly above or below middle C can be distracting sometimes. My .02.

FWIW: Just checked agsint the piano, and G-string 5th fret is Middle C - as stated above.

- Benignus

[Tom C]

How come when you read notation, the middle C is played on the A string?

In Notation.....

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-------------------
middle C here
--------------------

--------------------

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Otherwise you will run out of low strings?

[John Flynn]

Tom:

Middle C is the C in the middle of the "great staff," meaning it is in between the bass and treble staffs. So the C you are showing in your post is the C above middle C.

[fiddle5]

You know, this middle C thing is a confusing term . As jflynnstl #put it , its in the middle of the two staffs. This is correct by my theory, but maybe more commonly used in terms of reference, it is to a piano, or keyboard in the least. Not all keyboards are the same size, so for beginners, it is a reference point where they can play with a learning "C position" starting point in the "Middle" of the tone range, as well as physically in the middle of the keys.
Some how over time "middle C" has become a tone of reference.
Problem , is that the word "middle"is only applicable to a full range instrument such as a piano. Of the four catagories of instruments being Suprano, Alto, Tenor, and bass. Our mandolins fit the top catagory of suprano, in which Middle C is at the bottom end of our range. Its still a C, but just not in the middle of a suprano instrument.

A guitar however, does fit a "C" close to the middle, and often adding to the confusion.

Yet , having said the above, the term "Middle C" and the corresponding tone is always good to know and understand to better make references to other instruments. This part though, is certainly only humble my opinion.


mike