5

I've never seen it before, and I found it on this video. I know it's an accidental, though.

short horizontal bar with downward stem containing diagonal crossbar

Improve this question
1
  • A timestamp would be helpful.
    – Aaron
    Aug 23 at 20:16

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

The video indicates that the score was created in MuseScore 3. Looking through the accidentals in that software, this one stands for "raise by one equal tempered quarter". Basically, it's a quarter-tone sharp.

Accidental with tooltip in MuseScore 3

Improve this answer
5
  • 1
    I recently heard this glyph called a half-sharp.
    – Todd Wilcox
    Aug 23 at 23:10
  • 1
    @ToddWilcox the traditional half sharp lacks the horizontal crossbar at the top of the vertical stroke, which I suppose is intended to specify equal temperament as it resembles the letter T.
    – phoog
    Aug 24 at 8:05
  • 1
    @ToddWilcox on reflection, though, I do find this symbol to be a bit useless. First, it's hard to read. Note how the crossbar is almost lost by its proximity to the staff line. The tenuto marks don't help. Second, it's probably TMI. If there are no other places in the piece that use a different variety of quarter tone, just specify 24-TET and use a normal half-sharp symbol. If so, do you have musicians who can play them accurately? If so, can you really hear the difference?
    – phoog
    Aug 25 at 8:16
  • @phoog I vote we create a scale containing neither 'equal' nor 'just' tempered intervals, but rather 'evil' and 'unjust' .
    – Carl Witthoft
    Aug 25 at 18:52
  • 1
    @CarlWitthoft "Concerto in C Maladjusted for Kazoo and Convicted Felon"
    – Aaron
    Aug 25 at 18:59

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

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