Sharps, Flats and Natural Notes

15 Oct

If only music were written played with just seven notes: C – D – E – F – G – A – B, learn to read music note would be a lot easier. But music would also a lot more boring! None of the songs we like and heard have been composed with only seven notes, well, maybe for a few of the songs.

So far, in Basic Chapter we have learned earlier, seven notes of A, B, C, D, E, F and G can be expanded to twelve basic notes with the help of Sharps and Flats sign. While seven basic notes called Naturals, these Sharps and Flats sign called Accidentals.

Accidentals need to be comprehend and proper understanding of Sharp and Flat Notes are essential for reading music note and playing music. These modifiers can and are a problem for new students start learning music notes.

On the music Stave, Sharps and Flats are indicated by ♯ and ♭ signs placed immediately before (or to the left) of any Natural note. A Sharp sign is looks like a number symbol and a Flat sign is looks like a flattened letter b. A Sharp Note raises a Natural Note by a semitone or half-step while a Flat Note lowers a Natural Note by a semitone or half-step.

Sharps and Flats are really stand out on the Piano, Organ or Electronic Keyboard. Let’s find where Sharps and Flats there.

Sharps and Flats on Keyboard

Notice there is no Sharps or Flats between B and C and between E and F.

Double Sharps also exist, these are denoted by the symbol double Sharp and raise a note by two semitones, or one whole tone.

Sharp also known as Diese (French), or Diesis (Italian)
Flat also known as Bemole

Naturals are a little different from Sharps and Flats. A Natural sign cancels the effect of a Sharp or Flat, and is used for this purpose only. Any note which isn’t affected by an Accidental is already a natural note.

So a Natural sign can either raise or lower the pitch by a semitone or half-step. If a Natural cancels a Flat, it raises the pitch of a Note by a semitone or half-step. If a Natural cancels a Sharp, it lowers the pitch of the Note by a semitone or half-step.

On the music Stave, Sharps and Flats are indicated by ♮.

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  1. Reading Key Signatures in Music Notes | Read Music Notes - December 22, 2010

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