(PN) Enharmonics Lesson

Enharmonics

In modern musical notation, an enharmonic equivalent is a note that is equivalent to some other note but "spelled", or named differently. Thus, the enharmonic spelling of a written note is an alternative way to write that note. For example, the notes C ♯ and D ♭ are enharmonic (or enharmonically equivalent) notes. Namely, they are the same key on a piano keyboard, and thus they are identical in pitch, although they have different names.

In other words, if two notes have the same pitch but are represented by different letter names and accidentals, they are enharmonic.  

C sharp and D flat

Let's examine the black key in between C and D.

C sharp and D flat

This key could be called C# since it is a half step above C.

C sharp and D flat

It could also be called Db since it is a half step below D.

blank scale

Another example would be E and F.

E or F flat

E could also be called Fb since it is half step below F.

F or E sharp

Likewise, F could be called E#.

Blank scale

Whenever a certain pitch has multiple names, it is called an enharmonic spelling.

Some other examples of enharmonic spellings would be:

Ab and G#

D# and Eb

F# and Gb

Bb and A#

Cb and B natural

Each of these pairs above are the same pitch on the piano keyboard, however, they are spelled differently.

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