Pitch and Accidentals
Sharp
- Looks like
- Written ♯
- Asks for
- Raises a note by one semitone.
Flat
- Looks like
- Written ♭
- Asks for
- Lowers a note by one semitone.
Natural
- Looks like
- Written ♮
- Asks for
- Cancels a preceding sharp or flat under the applicable accidental rules.
Double sharp
- Looks like
- Written as a small bold x
- Asks for
- Raises the written pitch by two semitones.
Double flat
- Looks like
- Written as two flats side by side
- Asks for
- Lowers the written pitch by two semitones.
Key signature
- Looks like
- Accidentals after clef
- Asks for
- Establishes default altered notes throughout a key or mode.
Courtesy accidental
- Looks like
- An accidental in parentheses
- Asks for
- Reminds the player of a pitch alteration without changing the governing rule.
Parenthesized note
- Looks like
- Note in parentheses
- Asks for
- May indicate an optional, editorial, or cautionary note; consult the edition.
Enharmonic spelling
- Looks like
- A single key with two names, such as C♯ and D♭
- Asks for
- Different written pitch names may sound alike in equal temperament but function differently.
Quarter-tone sharp
- Looks like
- A sharp with only one vertical stroke
- Asks for
- Raises a note by approximately one quarter tone in a specified microtonal system.
Quarter-tone flat
- Looks like
- A flat drawn backward
- Asks for
- Lowers a note by approximately one quarter tone in a specified microtonal system.
Arrow accidental
- Looks like
- A sharp or flat with an arrow on its stem
- Asks for
- Indicates a microtonal adjustment whose size depends on the notation system.
Ottava alta
- Looks like
- Written 8va
- Asks for
- Directs performance one octave above the written notes.
Ottava bassa
- Looks like
- Written 8vb
- Asks for
- Directs performance one octave below the written notes.
Quindicesima alta
- Looks like
- Written 15ma
- Asks for
- Directs performance two octaves above the written notes.
Quindicesima bassa
- Looks like
- Written 15mb
- Asks for
- Directs performance two octaves below the written notes.
Loco
- Looks like
- Written loco
- Asks for
- Returns to written pitch after an octave-transposition instruction.
Unison
- Looks like
- Written unis.
- Asks for
- Directs multiple parts to play or sing the same written line.
Divisi
- Looks like
- Written div.
- Asks for
- Divides a section into separately assigned notes or lines.
Non divisi
- Looks like
- Written non div.
- Asks for
- Directs section players to resume the same notes rather than split parts.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Note Values and Rests · Meter and Grouping · Articulation · Dynamics and Expression · Tempo and Navigation · Ornaments · Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble · Jazz and Contemporary
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →