Why C Major Has No Sharps or Flats

I've gotten a lot of questions over the last 5 years. Some of them more than others, so today I'm starting an FAQ series.

The note names in Western Music seem to be a little off? Why is the key with no sharps or flats C major and not A major? So, how did the notes get their names? It's a convoluted journey - spanning 1500 years and involving much of Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions - Episode 1

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Hey, I'm Jesse, a composer and music theorist. I believe that Music Theory is a practical and valuable artform for all musicians throughout their lifetime. On this channel, I am making videos to help all musicians grow in their understanding of music theory and how it can make them a better musician.

[SerenityMusic]

Wow that makes so much sense, I've been lost since August.

[MikeHaysomMusic]

I was always taught that concert pitch is the A (440Hz) above middle C, not C itself.

[judassson]

But why do re mi fa sol la si?
It is easy to understand why it is start from C if you use do-re-mi...

[olober]

Great video! Love how deep into a subject you manage to go in such little time. :) But you forgot to mention why some germanic countries call B for H and Bb for B. I think I've heard that explaination a billion times and it doesn't stick. All I know is that there's this tenacious myth about some munk writing a "b" as an "h". Maybe that's for another video though

[uhh]

You gotta love western civilization. “A logical pattern for music? Nah, let’s go with the confusing one!”

[sharonfidler]

I really like these short music theory videos (including the Chinese music videos.) I often find that they go by so quickly that I need to look the subject up to fill in details. Could you give the best references for further reading, but not TOO academic and lengthy?

[aakashchakrabarty]

Hey first of all I would like to tell you that you answered my age old curiosity. I into music theory over a decade still never felt like learning a bit of history and here I come to the point which book or resource or YouTube channel or anything would you recommend to me for learning music history from group up.

(I AM ONLY INTERESTED INTO WRSTERN MUSIC HISTORY AND I AM A TOTAL NOOBIE)

[alihaidershahhaider]

Hi..
I have no idea on western music
I used asian flute as instrument.
Could you have any book or lecture
That will give me relation between math and flute

[LouisSerieusement]

Hi ! thank you :)
at 1:34, Is it normal that hypomixolydian have a root A instead of G ? is hypomixolydian another name for aeolian ? I never really got those ancient greek tetrachord stuff :( please, do you have any online ressources to recommand ?
Great video, thank you for sharing :D
Cheers from France :)
Louis

[selurusey]

Concert pitch is commonly A (440 Hz), not C.

[viola]

What about H in German note names? How did that get its name?

[ilovebach]

Anyone else feels we need a 2 day explanation instead?