Sharp, flat and natural · Accidentals · Music theory
Accidentals change a note’s pitch without changing its name: the sharp (♯) raises it a half step, the flat (♭) lowers it a half step, and the natural…
Sharp, flat and natural
Accidentals change a note’s pitch without changing its name: the sharp (♯) raises it a half step, the flat (♭) lowers it a half step, and the natural cancels an earlier accidental and returns it to its natural state.
They are written before the note, on the same line or space, and said after it: “F sharp”. An accidental written in the measure applies to that note, at that pitch, until the bar line; those in the key signature, which come with keys, apply to the whole piece.
Writing them well
An accidental applies to that note, in that octave, up to the bar line. If the note is tied into the next measure, the accidental continues, but ends with the note. Anything else must be written.
Courtesy accidentals, sometimes in parentheses, are not needed in theory but avoid doubts: a natural in the measure after an accidental helps the reader. It is part of writing with the performer in mind.