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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B−1 | 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
- B Major: B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
- B Natural Minor: B C♯ D E F♯ G A B
- B Harmonic Minor: B C♯ D E F♯ G A♯ B
- B Melodic Minor Ascending: B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
- B Melodic Minor Descending: B A G F♯ E D C♯ B
Diatonic scales
- B Ionian: B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
- B Dorian: B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B
- B Phrygian: B C D E F♯ G A B
- B Lydian: B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B
- B Mixolydian: B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B
- B Aeolian: B C♯ D E F♯ G A B
- B Locrian: B C D E F G A B
Jazz Melodic Minor
- B Ascending Melodic Minor: B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
- B Dorian ♭2: B C D E F♯ G♯ A B
- B Lydian Augmented: B C♯ D♯ E♯ F G♯ A♯ B
- B Lydian Dominant: B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A B
- B Mixolydian ♭6: B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G A B
- B Locrian ♮2: B C♯ D E F G A B
- B Altered: B C D E♭ F G A B
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.