CDEFGAB...tell me why

[rlefebvr]

Someone asked me today why we use C D E F G A B instead of A B C D E F G and I could not answer.


Anybody know the reason for this.

[pianobabe56]

Well, technically, it all depends on where you start from. 

[thierry13]

You don't start on CDEFGAB, it's only the way it's shown to the beginners because it is the "easier" scale. The "basic" note is the A , the one that is used to tune any instrument is the A 440. So we don't use CDEFGAB, this is only the C scale.

[Sketchee]

You can play A B C D E F G. It would just be a minor or Aeolian scale.

Really though, the order doesn't matter that much. It just emphasizes the tonal center.  Most pieces that are in the key of C don't just start on C and play the scale. 

I think that's the simplest way I can explain it

[rlefebvr]

You don't start on CDEFGAB, it's only the way it's shown to the beginners because it is the "easier" scale. The "basic" note is the A , the one that is used to tune any instrument is the A 440. So we don't use CDEFGAB, this is only the C scale.

O.K. this makes sense. Only I am sure Do re mi came before A B C D.

You don't go La Ti Do re mi, you go Do Re mi. Beginner or not. It's surprising they did not follow suite. Maybe it's just so ingrained in my head and there really is no start or end to Do Re Mi.

[thierry13]

Everyone has to begin someday  So everyone has been a beginner sometime, so the first thing EVERYONE knows is CDEFG... so it's in your head... but in everyone's head to