Note Names Around the World
Musicians everywhere read the same notes on the stave, but they say different names. Here is how English letters, Latin solfège and the German system line up.
English letter names
English-speaking countries use C D E F G A B. A sharp is "C sharp" and a flat is "B flat". This is also the system used for chord symbols in most of the world.
Do Re Mi: fixed do and movable do
In fixed-do countries, such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Romania, the syllables are attached to pitches: Do = C, Re = D, Mi = E, Fa = F, Sol = G, La = A, Si = B (French uses Ré; Portuguese also writes Dó, Ré, Fá, Lá). In English-speaking teaching, movable do is common: Do is the first note of whatever key you are in. This site uses fixed do.
The German system: H and B
In Germany, and also much of central and northern Europe, the note we call B is called H, and B♭ is called B. Sharps add -is (Cis, Fis) and flats add -es (Des, Ges). Special cases: E♭ is Es and A♭ is As. This is why Bach's musical signature B-A-C-H spells those notes.
Comparison table
| Pitch | English | Fixed do | German |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | Do | C |
| D | D | Re | D |
| E | E | Mi | E |
| F | F | Fa | F |
| G | G | Sol | G |
| A | A | La | A |
| B | B | Si | H |
| B♭ | B♭ | Si♭ | B |
Other traditions
Japan traditionally uses ha-ni-ho-he-to-i-ro for C–D–E–F–G–A–B, and parts of Asia use numbered notation. The stave itself, however, is the same everywhere.
The practice tool lets you switch the names shown on the answer buttons between letters, Do Re Mi and German names, and is available in several languages.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the Germans call B "H"?
Medieval notation had two forms of B: a rounded "b molle" and a square "b durum". The square form looked like an H, which stuck for B natural.
Is Do always C?
In fixed do, yes. In movable do, Do is the first note of the key, so it changes with the key.
Which should I learn?
The system your teacher or country uses. Learning two does no harm.