Chapter 6. Accidentals

Theory

This chapter teaches you about accidentals. First, you'll learn about a half step. Then, I explain what accidantals are. In the video, I show how to raise and lower tones with sharps and flats. You learn the names of the notes with a sharp and flat. You'll do exercises to practice these names.

1. What is a half step?

 

A half step is the distance from any key to the very next key up or down, with no key between.

 

Explanation

Half steps on the piano

2. What is an accidental?

 

Before the note a symbol can be placed that raises of lowers it. This symbol is called an accidental. These accidentals are called a sharp, a flat, a double sharp and a double flat.

3. Sharps and flats

 

A sharp raises a note by a half step. A flat lowers a note by a half step.

 

Video

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Explanation

What are the names of the notes with a sharp?

What are the names of the notes with a flat?

Names of the notes with sharp and flat

 

natural note   sharp flat A A# Ab B B# Bb C C# Cb D D# Db E E# Eb F F# Fb G G# Gb

Practise

 

Note Reading exercise 4a: practise reading notes with sharp and flat.

Note Reading exercise 4b: practise reading notes with sharp and flat, additional exercise.

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4. Double sharp and double flat

 

In practice, you will not see double sharps and double flats often.
Are you a beginner? Then you can skip this part or do it later.

 

A double sharp raises a note two half steps. A double flat lowers a note two half steps.

 

Explanation

What are the names of the notes with a double sharp?

What are the names of the notes with a double flat?

Names of the notes with double sharp and double flat

 

natural note   double sharp double flat A A## Abb B B## Bbb C C## Cbb D D## Dbb E E## Ebb F F## Fbb G G## Gbb

Practise

 

Note Reading exercise 4c: practise reading notes with double sharps and double flats.

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