answersLogoWhite

0

In modern notation, the sharp sign (#) indicates that the note it precedes is sounded one half-tone (semitone) higher than without the sharp sign. In cases where the sign is applied to a note which is sharped in the key signature, it only indicates that the note should be played one semitone higher than if there had been no sharp in the key signature. To make an already-sharped note sharper by another semitone, the doublesharp (which looks like an ornate x made of angled diamonds) is used. To make an already-sharped or double-sharped note sound it's natural pitch, a natural sign (which looks like a square with lines rising from the upper-left and falling from the lower-right corners) is used.

Also, it is good to know that, in modern notation, accidentals (sharp, flat or natural signs applied in-line with music rather than at the beginning of each line or the beginning of the piece) continue to affect the note to the end of the measure. So |#C D E C| D E C E |is played #C D E #C D E C E.

In original-notation, preceding the 19th Century (up to the middle-end of the Baroque period), a sharp could be used to cancel a flat (and vice versa), and the sign we now call natural was used (esp. Germany) for the "hard B", i.e., what we now call B-natural. An accidental applied to a note often only pertained to that note in that octave, which is why a key signature for G major (in which F is sharped all the time, unless modified by an accidental) the key signature has two sharps for a treble-clef staff, one at the top line and one at the bottom space. This is only useful information if you are a) a hopeless trivia buff or b) actually trying to read original manuscripts or prints.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What are the types of chromatic signs?

*Chromatic signs are the sharp sign (♯), flat sign (♭) and natural sign (♮)a. Sharp sign(♯)- is used to raise the pitch by a half stepb. Flat sign(♭)- is used to lower the pitch by a half stepc. Natural sign(♮)- is used to restore the tone of a note to its original pitch.-:)


What is a natural sign and how is it used in music notation?

A natural sign in music notation is a symbol that cancels out a previous sharp or flat note, returning the note to its natural state. It is used to indicate that a note should be played as written without any alteration in pitch.


Do sharps lower a note half a step?

Just the opposite, actually. A sharp RAISES a note by one half-step.


What is the boy sign and girl sign?

The boy symbol is ♂, representing the planet Mars in astrology and commonly used to indicate male gender. The girl symbol is ♀, representing the planet Venus and commonly used to indicate female gender.


What is a musical term that starts with the letter n?

Note is a musical term. It is a sign representing the duration and pitch of a musical sound.


What cancles a sharp or a flat?

What cancels an acciental in a Natural sign in front of a note. Example G Major (F#, F sharp). Any note in the line or space of the note F will be affected, but if there is a natural sign it will be restored to its original pitch.


What do you call a musical note raised half a tone?

In standard musical notation the sharp sign (#) denoted a note raised by a half step. There are also half sharps and 3/4-sharps for raising a note by 1/4 tone or 3/4 tone respectively.


What is the significance of the double sharp sign in music notation?

The double sharp sign in music notation is used to raise a note by two half steps. It is significant because it allows composers to indicate specific pitches that may not be part of the key signature or scale being used in a piece of music.


What is the significance of the double flat sign in music notation?

The double flat sign in music notation lowers a note by two half steps. It is used to indicate a lower pitch than a regular flat sign.


What is the name for the sign representing the word and?

The symbol representing the word "and" is called an ampersand (&).


What does a SHARP sound like?

A note with a sharp sign sounds one half step higher than the same letter named note with out the sharp sign. More generally, "sharp" refers to a slightly higher pitch. For example, when adjusting two instrument to play in tune with each other, the one that is slightly (or not so slightly) higher in pitch is said to be sharp. Similarly, when a singer or instrumentalist sings or plays a note higher than accompanying instruments he/she is sharp.


What is the sign for sharps?

If you are refering to music, the sign for sharp is #