Why are sharps and flats called sharps and flats?

Answer 1

Major ScalesA major scale in music is a series of "whole" and "half" steps that produces the major scale sound.

This series is: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half.

A whole step is considered to be a movement of two pitches up. For instance, a C to a D is a whole step because the C was moved two pitches up: C sharp and then D.

A half step is a movement of one pitch up. For example, a C to a C sharp is a half step. Also, an E to an F is a half step because there is no pitch in between. B to C is also a half step as there is no pitch in between.

The pitches with sharps are: C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, A sharp, B, C, ...

The pitches with flats are: C, D flat, D, E flat, E, F, G flat, G, A flat, A, B flat, B, C, ...

So for a C major scale (which starts and ends on C) keeping in mind the order of whole and half steps would be:

C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

The G major scale has to have a sharp to keep the series of whole and half steps.

G, A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, G Scales have sharps and flats to maintain the balance of the scale (the whole and half steps). Notes denoted with sharps or flats are as important as any other notes. Every note is a pitch and equally important when constructing scales.

Each scale requires a sequence of 7 different pitches (some may be "sharps" or "flats".

Answer 2

Early in the process of writing music down, the crosshatch, or "tic-tac-toe" board was decided upon as the symbol for raising a note's pitch 1/2 tone. The flat, rather like a stylized letter "b" was used to designate a note lowered by 1/2 tone. However, the terminology of calling a note raised by a half-tone "sharp", or calling a note lowered by a half-tone "flatted" is almost as old as written music itself.

Answer 3

The sharp, flat and natural signs are known as accidentals when used within musical notation. The combination of sharps or flats, when applied at the beginning of a stave of music, are known as the key signature.

Answer 4

Accidentals