Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

MODULE 4

88

Five symbols called accidentalsmay be used to name all of the keys. We will begin our study with the first
three accidentals shown in the box below; the last two will be discussed beginning on page 101.

Notice that:

• The black key C sharp (key 2) is a half step higher in pitch than the white key C (key 1).


• The white key E sharp (key 6) is a half step higher in pitch than the white key E (key 5).


• The black key A sharp (key 11) is a half step higher in pitch than the white key A (key 10).


• There are two notes with sharps that are white keys: E sharp (E#) and B sharp (B#). Note that B#corresponds
  to C, and E#corresponds to F. When a note has more than one spelling, this is called an enharmonic spelling.
  (See page 92 for further discussion on enharmonic spellings.)

Exercise 1

Using sharps to name the note, write the letter name of the keys in the boxes below. The first answer is given.

Sharp – Raises a note a half step

Flat – Lowers a note half a step

Natural – Cancels a previous accidental

Double sharp – Raises a note two half steps

Double flat – Lowers a note two half steps

The sharp raises a note a half step; the

letter name of the note remains the same.

On the keyboard, move to the nearest

note to the right.

1 3 5 6 8 10 12

C E E A

2 4 7 9 11

C # A

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

D#

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