Flats and Sharps
Now we’re going to name (or spell) the notes in between the natural notes. There are only 5 of them, but each one can have two names.
Let me explain.
Remember I said that if you raise a note by a half step (semitone) it becomes a sharp? Well, a half step up from A is “A sharp”. So the note in between A and B can be called “A sharp”. The sharp symbol looks like a hash sign (#). “A sharp” would be written as A#.
However, we also know that if you lower a note by a half step, it becomes flat. A half step down from B is “B flat”. So, that same note in between A and B can also be called “B flat”. The flat symbol looks like a lower case b. “B flat” would be written as Bb.
The note between A and B has two names. It can be called A# or Bb.
A# and Bb are the same note! They have the same sound or pitch. As do G# and Ab, or C# and Db, etc. In music theory, when 2 different notes represent the same pitch or have the same sound, those two notes are said to be “enharmonic“. So A# and Bb are enharmonic. They sound exactly the same. G# and Ab are enharmonic, C# and Db are enharmonic, etc.
So, if it has 2 names, how do we know what to call it?
Whether you call the note A# or Bb depends on the context in which it’s used, and will become more apparent when you learn about scales. For now, just remember they are the same note and you can use either name.
I hope I haven’t made that too confusing. If it is, then read through the last several paragraphs again slowly, and follow along with diagram 7. You should be able to name all the notes in order.
A – A#/Bb – B – C – C#/Db – D – D#/Eb – E – F – F#/Gb – G – G#/Ab – A
We’ve now identified the five notes in between the natural notes. Each of those notes can have 2 names. That means that we can now name all 12 notes.
Lets take another look at it on the next page.