What is the lowest note on a 61 key keyboard?

Question:What's the lowest(first) note on a 61 key keyboard? I'm pretty sure it's a C but I don't know if it's a C1, C2, etc.

Also, when reading sheet music, what signifies a key change? Because I have a song I'm trying to teach myself and on the CD(it's from a musical) it sounds a entire octave higher than in the sheet music. I know sometimes the vocal selections differ from the CD but it's really different!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: What's the lowest(first) note on a 61 key keyboard? I'm pretty sure it's a C but I don't know if it's a C1, C2, etc.

Also, when reading sheet music, what signifies a key change? Because I have a song I'm trying to teach myself and on the CD(it's from a musical) it sounds a entire octave higher than in the sheet music. I know sometimes the vocal selections differ from the CD but it's really different!

There are different notation sytems for octaves. If you have a standard 61 key electronic key board, your lowest note is C, (the one just below the PAIR of black notes.) That C is two octaves below middle C, which is one ledger line below the staff in treble cleff and one ledger line above the staff in bass clef.

Some systems do something like C1, C2, upt o middle C and then do something like c' c'' c'''. I'm not sure about all the systems for putting in print, but the above is accurate as regards notational placement on the staff depending on clef.

A key change happens when the piece or song or what-have- you moves from being based on one tonic, like D Major for example, to a new one, such as A major of F minor.

When this happens, usually a new key signature appears, though sometimes the composer actually makes a key change using only accidentals (sharps or flats in the music that aren't in the key signature) and then returns to the original key without changing the key signatures.

As to your vocal music: I'm a clarinetist but it is my understanding that vocal parts are often written in one octave and are presumed to be sung in another octave, even if the music doesn't say 8va. (Which means "do this an octave higher".)

For example, if the part was marked to be sung be a sprano but the part clearly was in a different range, it would be obvious to sing it the octave of the singer's voice.

As a PS, I have a low voice, so I often sing along with my favorite songs an octave below. It doesn't matter. Change octaves and keys when you need to accomodate your range.

Hope this helps.

the one farthest to the left

yep it's to the left of the farthest