Pitch Class
A group containing all notes that share the same letter name regardless of octave, such as every C on the keyboard.
Category
pitch
Pronunciation
/pɪtʃ klɑːs/
Origin
English (theoretical term)
Length
176 words · 1 min read
About Pitch Class
Pitch class is a concept from music theory and set theory that treats all octave-related versions of a note as equivalent. Every C — whether the lowest rumble on a pipe organ or the highest tinkle on a piccolo — belongs to pitch class C.
More pitch terms
Transposing Instrument
View all pitchterms →An instrument whose notated pitch differs from the actual sounding pitch it produces.
Enharmonic EquivalentTwo notes that sound the same pitch but are written with different letter names, such as F-sharp and G-flat.
Concert PitchThe internationally agreed standard tuning reference where A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz.
TessituraThe range of pitches within which a vocal or instrumental part predominantly sits, distinct from total range.
SharpAn accidental that raises the pitch of a note by one semitone.
Synonyms
See Also
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →