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Figure 3.16: Black keys named with sharps using the letter names for the white keys on
the left side
A flat sign (♭)
This is a musical sign which indicates that the pitch of a particular note is lowered
by a half step or semitone. It is just the opposite of a sharp. In staff notation, a flat
sign is placed before a note, as shown in Figure 3.17.
Figure 3.17: A flat sign used in staff notation
When letters are used in writing the note names, a flat sign will be placed after the
letter. For example, E G B and others. On a piano keyboard, a black key can
♭
♭
♭
also be named with a flat while using the letter name of a white key on its right
side. See the example shown in Figure 3.18.
Figure 3.18: Black keys named with flats using the letter names for the white keys on the right side
Enharmonic notes
Enharmonic notes are notes that have two different names but sound the same. By
using sharp or flat signs, a note can be given two names. For example, on a piano,
a “G” sharp note can also be called “A” flat. The same applies to C sharp and D
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