Sharps, flats and naturals

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Spelling and transposition

In twelve-tone equal temperament, a sharp raises a written note by a semitone and a flat lowers it. A natural cancels the relevant alteration. The letter identity remains: F-sharp is still a form of F.

Distinguish key signatures from local accidentals. In common modern practice, a local accidental applies to the same pitch position and octave through the bar; historical and special notation can need clarification. A cautionary accidental may prevent ambiguity. Altered notes are not always black piano keys.

Example

E-sharp can use the same equal-tempered piano key as F.

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Which natural key is enharmonic with C-flat?

Related topics

References

Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Subject-expert review pending.