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The modern accidental signs derive from the two forms of the lower-case letter b used in Gregorian chant manuscripts to signify the two pitches of B, the only note that could be altered. The "round" b became the flat sign, while the "square" b diverged into the sharp and natural signs.
A double natural is a symbol that has two naturals (♮♮). It may be used to cancel a double flat or double sharp, but in modern notation a single natural sign (♮) is acceptable. [3] The same principle can be applied when canceling a triple sign (triple flat / triple sharp) or beyond. [4] [5]
Sharp The sharp symbol raises the pitch of a note by one semitone. Natural A natural cancels a sharp or flat. This sharp or flat may have been indicated as an accidental or defined by the key signature. Double flat A double flat lowers the pitch of a note by two semitones. Double sharp A double sharp raises the pitch of a note by two semitones.
A quarter-tone flat, half flat, or demiflat indicates the use of quarter tones; it may be marked with various symbols including a flat with a slash or a reversed flat sign (). A three-quarter-tone flat, flat and a half or sesquiflat, is represented by a demiflat and a whole flat ().
Historically, lowering a double sharp to a single sharp could be notated using a natural and sharp sign or vice-versa instead of the conventional sharp sign (♯), but the natural sign is often omitted in modern notation. The similar principle of the natural sign notation can apply when canceling a triple sharp or beyond. [4]
In Western musical notation, a key signature is a set of sharp (♯), flat (♭), or rarely, natural (♮) symbols placed on the staff at the beginning of a section of music. The initial key signature in a piece is placed immediately after the clef at the beginning of the first line.
When a flat sign is placed before a note, the pitch of the note is lowered by one semitone. Similarly, a sharp sign raises the pitch by one semitone. For example, a sharp on the note D would raise it to D♯ while a flat would lower it to D♭. Double sharps and double flats are less common, but they are used. A double sharp is placed before a ...
Most commonly, [note 2] the sharp symbol (♯) raises a note by a half step, while the flat symbol (♭) lowers a note by a half step. This half step interval is also known as a semitone (which has an equal temperament frequency ratio of 12 √ 2 ≅ 1.0595). The natural symbol (♮) indicates that any previously applied accidentals should be ...