(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.
Let's examine the black key in between C and D.
This key could be called C# since it is a half step above C.
It could also be called Db since it is a half step below D.
Another example would be E and F.
E could also be called Fb since it is half step below F.
Likewise, F could be called E#.
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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