MusicianCV · TROne key, different spellings
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Spelling and transposition
C-sharp and D-flat use the same key on a standard equal-tempered piano. Their spelling can still convey different scale degrees or harmonic functions.
A piano roll may show only pitch position. Notation requires a separate spelling decision. Do not automatically extend equal-tempered equivalence to every tuning system.
Example
F-sharp and G-flat share a piano key, while their written context may differ.
One key, different spellingsC♯4 = D♭4
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Does a MIDI number alone determine harmonic spelling?
Answer
No; musical context also matters.Related topics
Half steps and whole steps · Sharps, flats and naturalsReferences
Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
Subject-expert review pending.