TR

Accidentals

SHARP

  • Sharp: raises a note a half step
  • The letter name of the note remains the same.
  • On the keyboard, move to the nearest note to the right.
  • The black key C sharp is a half step higher in pitch than the white key C.
  • The white key E sharp is a half step higher in pitch than the white key E.
  • The black key A sharp is a half step higher in pitch than the white key A.
  • There are two notes with sharps that are white keys: E sharp (E#) and B sharp (B#).
  • Note that B# corresponds to C, and E# corresponds to F. When a note has more than one spelling, this is called an enharmonic spelling.
  • Double sharp: raises a note two half steps
    • The letter name of the note remains the same

FLAT

  • Flat: lowers a note a half step
  • The letter name of the note remains the same.
  • On the keyboard, move to the nearest note to the left.
  • The white key F flat is a half step lower in pitch than the white key F.
  • The black key B flat is a half step lower in pitch than the white key B.
  • There are two notes with flats that are white keys: F flat (Fb) and C flat (Cb).
  • Note the enharmonic spellings: F flat is the enharmonic equivalent to E, and C flat is the enharmonic equivalent to B.
  • Double flat: lowers a note two half steps
    • The letter name of the note remains the same.

NATURAL

  • Natural: cancels a previous accidental

  • All naturals are white keys.

  • The white key C natural is a half step lower than C sharp.

  • The white key F natural is a half step higher than F flat.

  • The white key B natural is a half step higher than B flat.

  • Accidentals drawn on the staff are placed precisely on the same line or in the same space as the note being modified and directly in front of the note.

    • However, when labeling a note, accidentals follow the letter name: we draw “sharp F” and say “F sharp.”

  • An accidental lasts for one complete measure or until another accidental cancels it..

  • Bar lines cancel previous accidentals.

  • An accidental applies only to a note on one line or space; notes an octave higher or lower are not affected by previous accidentals.

  • A “courtesy” accidental may be placed in front of a note as a reminder.