Step 4
In step 1, we discussed the staff, clefs, and notes. In step 2, we discussed how to read[Are_PayPal_LoginPlease] time in music with the Time Measure in combination with the Tempo marking. In step 3, we discussed the common range of Notes from C1 to C8 and how it compares with the common range of the Irish Whistle. We also discussed how to read 8 notes higher by adding an 8 above the Treble Clef.
In this lesson we discuss symbols which are added to notes to change how they sound.
In order to do that, we need to discuss notes a bit more. As you have seen, there are seven notes. These seven Notes are named in English A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. When you go above G, your next Note is A. When you go below A, the next note is G. This is how these 7 notes continue to repeat. Of these 7 notes, 5 of them make what is called a whole step higher or lower from one note to another(A, C, D, F, G). Two of the seven Notes make what is called a half step from one to another(B, E).
If you are counting, you’ll see that there are still 5 notes that don’t have half steps. If we had some way to show these half steps, we’d have 5 more notes. As you’ve guessed, we do have a way to express these half steps.
When we use “Accidentals”, we modify the note up or down. To make a “Note” go half a step up, we use a symbol to the right of a note or on the “Staff” that looks like “#” and call the “Note” “Sharp”. To make a “Note” go half a step down, we use a symbol to the right of a note or on the “Staff” that looks like “b” and call the “Note” “Flat”. A “Note” without an “Accidental” is called a “Natural”.
Accidentals
If a note a whole step up, it could be thought of as 1 step up. If a D Note has an accidental that brings the note up 1/2 step, and the next note which is E Note has an accidental brings the E note down a 1/2 step, are these notes any different? No.
For example, here’s an illustration of the two Staffs, one Staff with 5 notes 1/2 a step down, and the other Staff with the 5 notes 1/2 a step up.
Accidentals - These five Notes are the same
These 5 notes are the same note. When you add 1/2 a step to the D with a (#) accidental, it is the same note as subtracting 1/2 a step from the E with a (b) accidental. Therefore, a D sharp is identical to an E flat.
The illustration shows from left to right:
D# equal to Eb
F# equal to Gb
G# equal to Ab
A# equal to Bb
C# equal to Db
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