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Chapter 4 · Accidentals

Sharps, flats, naturals

4 min Lesson 2/2

Key idea A sharp ♯ raises a note a half step, a flat ♭ lowers it a half step, and a natural ♮ cancels both. An accidental in the music lasts until the end of the bar.

Sharp: up a half step

F♯ is the black key just right of F.

Flat: down a half step

B♭ is the black key just left of B.

Every black key has two names. The key between C and D is both C♯ and D♭. Two names for one key are called enharmonic. Which one you see depends on the key of the piece.

Five black keys, two names each.

White keys can carry sharp or flat names too: E♯ is the F key and C♭ is the B key. You will rarely meet them at first.

44F♯GF♯GFGFE
Bar 1: the second F is still sharp because the sharp lasts all bar. Bar 2: the bar line cancels it, so F is natural again. The natural sign on the later F is just a courtesy reminder.
Try it

Press B♭, then F♯.

Quick check

Question 1/6

What does ♯ do?

Keep practicing

Drill Grand staff reading Both clefs, ledger lines, and accidentals. Piece Brahms Lullaby F major with its B flat, over a gentle waltz in the left hand. Piece Canon in D A repeating bass line under three melody variations, in D major.