This notation originated in the letters of the alphabet in the mediӕval script, the first seven of which were used to designate the different notes. The lowest octave was distinguished by the employment of capitals, the second octave by “lower case
” letters, the third by the same with a line above them, and so on.
When the German organists commenced to use the letter-notation for writing keyboard-music (i.e., about the year 1500), the keyboard already presented...