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Above is a staff. After the third bar, why isn't the second C either sharp or natural?

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    I think you don't understand key signatures properly. This might help you in undertanding them: musictheory.net/lessons/24 . – Kartik Apr 19 '14 at 14:36
  • Thanks so much, I really hate reading wiki, for it covers so many unnecessary stuffs. This is highly encouraged. – user139024 Apr 19 '14 at 14:44
  • You can find many other topics and resources on that site. – Kartik Apr 19 '14 at 14:46
  • The notation in the question is correct. However, it would be foolish not to reinforce it with cautionary accidentals. – Laurence Payne Feb 13 '16 at 19:39
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Accidentals (sharps, flats or naturals) only change notes until the end of the bar they are in. So, the C# above doesn't affect the C in the next bar. However, flats or sharps in key-signatures affect all notes in the music, for instance the Bb and Eb above, unless "overruled" by another accidental, for example the B natural above.

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    I just want to add although it is unnecessary, most composers would put a natural sign next to the C as a reminder to the musician to play a C instead of a C#. – Dom♦ Apr 14 '14 at 1:44
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    @ Dom - yes, they do, and I feel it's clogging up the staves. It's not necessary, the bar line cancels anyway. Take it further, if there's another C in the next bar, should the writer remind us again, after all, it's another bar... – Tim Apr 14 '14 at 6:26
  • So what you r saying is, there is a natural sign before the first c because there is no bar before it to cancel flat signatures? – user139024 Apr 16 '14 at 18:28
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    There's no flat in front of the C or Cb in the key signature. So, nothing to make it flat. – Bob Broadley Apr 16 '14 at 19:44
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    I think you might be getting the signs for sharps, flats and naturals mixed up. – Bob Broadley Apr 16 '14 at 19:46

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