Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Notice that:

• The white key F flat (key 5) is a half step lower in pitch than the white key F (key 6).


• The black key B flat (key 11) is a half step lower in pitch than the white key B (key 12).


• There are two notes with flats that are white keys: F flat (Fb) and C flat (Cb). Note the enharmonic spellings:
  F flat is the enharmonic equivalent to E, and C flat is the enharmonic equivalent to B.

Exercise 2

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

Notice that:

• The white key C natural (key 1) is a half step lowerthan C sharp (key 2).


• The white key F natural (key 6) is a half step higherthan F flat (key 5).


• The white key B natural (key 12) is a half step higherthan B flat (key 11).

89

ACCIDENTALS

The flat lowers a note a half step; the letter

name of the note remains the same.

On the keyboard, move to the nearest

note to the left.

b

1 3 5 6 8 10 12

F F B

Bb

b

2 4 7 9 11

Eb

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

The natural cancels a previous accidental.

All naturals are white keys.

n

1 3 5 6 8 10 12

C F F B

2 4 7 9 11

C # Bb

nnnb