1 Introduction to Music Theory: sharps and flats

Accidentals are signs placed before a note to change the pitch of that note.

A flat decreases the pitch by a semitone, so on the keyboard you play the next key to the left. Bb decreases the B with by half a tone, so on the keyboard you play the black key to the left. When two flats are used, the pitch decreases by 2x half a tone = one tone.

A sharp increases the pitch by a semitone, so on the keyboard you play the next key to the right. F# increases the F by a semitone, so on the keyboard you play the black key to the right. When two sharps are used (a double sharp sign), the pitch increases by 2x half a tone = one tone.

A natural makes the pitch of a note, which has been sharpened or flattened before, normal again. A natural is used for instance before a 'B', which has been flattened, to indicate that a natural 'B' is used again instead of the flat one played before. flats, sharps or naturals after the clef last for the rest of the piece. Flats, sharps or naturals before a note, 'accidentals', last only for 1 bar.

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