Japanese Karaoke Pitch Notation: C3, mid1C, and hiA

C3 and mid1C Are the Same Pitch

Oniki Check uses scientific pitch notation such as C3 and A4. Japanese karaoke range guides often label the same pitches as mid1C and hiA.

For example, C3 is mid1C, C4 is mid2C, G4 is mid2G, and A4 is hiA. The labels differ, but the audible pitch is the same.

Quick Conversion Chart

• C2 = lowC: A very low C.
• A2 = mid1A: The start of the mid1 band.
• C3 = mid1C: A common low-to-middle male pitch.
• G3 = mid1G: Often used as a starting reference for women.
• A3 = mid2A: The start of the mid2 band.
• C4 = mid2C: Middle C, near the center of a piano.
• G4 = mid2G: A common high area in male songs.
• A4 = hiA: The 440 Hz tuning A.
• C5 = hiC: Common in female parts and falsetto.
• A5 = hihiA: A very high A.

Japanese karaoke bands change at A. A2 begins mid1, A3 begins mid2, A4 begins hi, and A5 begins hihi. That is why G4 is mid2G, G#4 is mid2G#, and the next semitone A4 becomes hiA.

Reading Sharps and Flats

C#3 becomes mid1C#, and F#4 becomes mid2F#. A song guide may write the same piano key with a flat name, such as A♭4 instead of G#4.

Oniki Check normalizes detected notes to sharp names. A flat spelling and its matching sharp spelling still represent the same pitch on a piano.

Example Vocal Range Result

A result of C3–G4 is mid1C–mid2G in Japanese karaoke notation.

• Repeatable chest range: C3–G4 / mid1C–mid2G
• Highest falsetto note: C5 / hiC
• Range width: 1 octave + 7 semitones

When comparing that result with a song, check both the song’s low and high notes. The karaoke key guide explains why solving the high note alone can create a new low-note problem.

One Note Does Not Decide Voice Type

Reaching hiA or C2 does not by itself make someone a tenor, baritone, alto, or soprano. Register, tessitura, repeatability, and tone also matter.

Read What Is Vocal Range? and use a range that repeats across two or three tests under similar conditions.