6

enter image description here

The first natural sign means all E5s will be natural, so the first E5 and the second E5 will be E naturals.

But then the 8va sign comes in and the third E is actually an E6 but resides on the same bar level as the previous Es.

Is this E6 an E natural? Or E flat because technically it's in another octave?

Improve this question
5
  • Have you played it with/without? – Tim Nov 20 '20 at 12:00
  • Musescore treats this as a natural, but I never could completely trust it on that issue. – Dekkadeci Nov 20 '20 at 12:39
  • Have I played it with/without? Do you mean with or without the naturalized E6? – John Nov 20 '20 at 14:25
  • John, I suppose that @Tim does mean to ask whether you've tried it both ways. Nine times out of ten it will be obvious that one option is correct and the other incorrect. – phoog Nov 22 '20 at 1:13
  • I have tried it both ways and I like Tim's answer; that the E6 is a natural, also by looking at the surrounding context, I think – John Nov 22 '20 at 4:45
3

It's still a natural. True, the notes at that part of the bar are played an octave higher, but because it's written on that top space, and a previous E was naturalised (?) in the same place, it retains its accidental.

A cautionary natural sign wouldn't go amiss, though.

Improve this answer
1
  • Yes to the "cautionary" bit. WHen there's a chance of misinterpretation, always add the symbols to remove all doubt – Carl Witthoft Nov 20 '20 at 18:03
-2

Flats and sharps in key signatures always apply to all octaves.

8va also doesn't affect accidentals, they always apply as usual.

Improve this answer
19
  • 2
    Accidentals only apply to the actual notes they are written for. Never for all octaves. – Tim Nov 19 '20 at 16:15
  • 1
    Are you sure? It seems clear here that it still applies but I always heard that accidentals only apply to the octave where it appears (see Guido's comment here: music.stackexchange.com/questions/104284/… ) – Tom Nov 19 '20 at 16:16
  • @Tim synched ;) – Tom Nov 19 '20 at 16:17
  • 1
    @Tim, I get the point, but how do you call flats and sharps in the key sig, if not accidentals? – MMazzon Nov 19 '20 at 16:27
  • 1
    Yea, but what do you call the flats and sharps in the key sig? – MMazzon Nov 19 '20 at 16:28

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.