Questions tagged [enharmonics]
For questions related to the different spelling of same-sounding pitches (e.g., C-sharp and D-flat).
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Outside of Equal Temperament, what decides the spelling of notes in a major scale?
I've been reading up on the history of temperament, and how enharmonic notes are more of a limitation of the modern piano (only one black key), and also mathematically they are the same if you use ...
4
votes
1answer
161 views
Notation of measure 2 in Chopin's Prelude #4 in E minor
The first measure has G-B-E-B, i.e. E minor tonic chord, first inversion. Makes sense so far.
Then the next measure is F♯-A-E-B followed by F♯-A-E♭-B , not so clear. According to this page the second ...
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votes
7answers
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Cb/B problem while creating lead sheet
I'm making a lead sheet of the song "One" by Esperanza Spalding.
I chose the key of Bb because the song feels the most "at home" when the progression lands there at the guitar solo ...
6
votes
4answers
772 views
Is there any reason to use F flat in notating this blues riff (jazz)?
I am reading though Dariusz Terefenko's Jazz theory book, and in the chapter on Improvisation (chapter 10) he lists a few typical 1-, 2- and 4-bars blues riffs, all on a Bb blues scale. Several of ...
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vote
2answers
728 views
Is it better to write music in F♯ Major or in G♭ Major?
Is it better to write music in F♯ Major or in G♭ Major? Seeing as they are enharmonic (in our 12-tone musical system), what are the advantages / disadvantages of writing in either, or should it be ...
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vote
3answers
218 views
preference of the key of B or Cb (also G#min and Abmin)
The debate of whether F# or Gb is a better key is very prominent, but I'd like to discuss the keys of B and Cb.
As a guitar player, I would much rather have the key of B to play in. As a trombonist, ...
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votes
3answers
487 views
How are names of enharmonic notes determined?
In our current 12TET system, is it really incorrect to refer to E♭ as D♯ if one mentions them standalone with no reference to tonality? I understand how the notes in a diatonic scale are ...
5
votes
3answers
253 views
never ending omnibus progression
When I studied music theory in college (years ago), I remember my theory instructor demonstrating a use of the omnibus progression where it would go on forever, sounding continuous to the untrained ...
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2answers
114 views
In chord construction, in a Adim, for example, is it indifferrent to have instead of A, C, D#, have, A, C and Eb
In chord a construction, in a Adim, for example, is it indifferent to have instead of A, C, D#, have, A, C and Eb?
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votes
2answers
494 views
How can I improve my violin intonation for enharmonic notes?
I know that while, for many instruments, enharmonic notes are a single pitch and their differences are more of an interpretation, helping music to remain consistent (it would make more sense for a ...
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vote
2answers
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Alto saxophone fingering for notes written below the staff
I am a beginner on the alto saxophone. I understand the fingering for playing notes on the staff but I do not understand the fingering for playing notes below the staff. Sometimes there are two extra ...
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votes
3answers
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A♭ 13 Chord Notation
A website detailing piano chords uses the following pitch notation for A-flat 13 chords:
A♭13 → A♭-C-E♭-G♭-B♭-D♭-F (R, M3, P5, m7, M9, m11, m13)
A♭m13 → A♭-B-E♭-G♭-C♭♭-D♭-F (R, m3, P5, m7, M9, m11, ...
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votes
5answers
667 views
In harmony: key or the flow?
I play ambient music and my approach on creating chord lines is simple, just try to stick on the key and if I want to change the key then make it subtle.
But today I tried to create harmony lines ...
5
votes
3answers
407 views
How to determine the names of the notes in any given scale
Are there any rules for naming the notes in a scale that can apply to any given scale? I know it's straightforward for diatonic. You just use each of the first 7 letters of the alphabet and [double]...
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votes
8answers
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Why is printed music published with incorrect enharmonics?
I'm seeing more and more music that contains conflicting or erroneous information - for example, C°7 written with an A, (not B♭♭), or E7♭5 with A♯ (not B♭).
Wondering if ...
0
votes
4answers
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Is there a benefit to writing in C# major over Db major? [duplicate]
As the title says. It seems that the really sharp keys (e.g. C#, F#, etc.) are really cumbersome to write and play in, so I was wondering if there were any advantages to them over keys like Db and Gb.
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7answers
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Why do E♯ and F♮ not sound the same (according to Wikipedia)?
I was just reading the Wikipedia page on the note F (as I do every evening) and was confused by this part where it says that even though F♮ and E♯ are enharmonic they “do not sound the same”:
E♯ is ...
5
votes
5answers
753 views
How to determine if an interval is enharmonic or not
I'm new to music theory, and reading through the basics I learned about interval classifications. But, along with that many questions came to my head. The one I want to ask today is the following:
...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Why is Erik Satie's Saraband 1 in A flat major?
Why is Erik Satie's Saraband 1 in A flat major?
There are so many F, C, and G flat accidentals through out the score it seem like it could have been notated in G sharp minor (enharmonic of A flat ...
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votes
2answers
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Identifying the roots of diminished 7th chords( depending on function)?
Diminished 7th chords are symmetric. Each one could be the same quality chord on any root note that is a chord tone inside it. So, is there agreement on which name to use for these chords? I know that ...
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6answers
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What is the most common way to refer to a particular note in the chromatic scale without making any implications as regards tonality?
It seems to me that in current musical practice, we are often in a 12-TET situation where effectively, we have an (octave repeating) set of 12 notes that make up the chromatic scale, each of which can ...
9
votes
4answers
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If B has five sharps, and C♭ has seven flats then how can C♭ and B be the same key?
I was learning the seven-mirror rule trick online today. There was a diagram of every major key along with its corresponding number of accidentals. It was shown that the key of C♭ has seven flats. But,...
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9answers
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Why are C♯ and D♭ different frequencies?
I am a music enthusiast, and I was recently reading What is the difference between equivalent Flat and Sharp keys as far as musical notation? Are there any reasons to prefer one over the other?
This ...
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3answers
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Why are there different names for the same interval? [duplicate]
The intervals F-B and B-F are called Augmented Fourth and Diminished Fifth respectively, but they are really both the same interval - a tritone.
Why are they named differently?
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votes
3answers
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Why use the key of C#?
I was reading about Brahms, and it was mentioned that he had composed a piece in C# Major.
AFAIK, we generally don't use C# Major in jazz or rock music because the key signature has 7 sharps, so it'...
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5answers
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What's the difference between a G♭ and an F#?
I've heard it said that, whilst on most instruments these notes are played with the same fingerings/technique/etc., there is a subtle difference.
This isn't specific to this particular note ...
