Questions tagged [enharmonics]
For questions related to the different spelling of same-sounding pitches (e.g., C-sharp and D-flat).
46
questions
2
votes
4
answers
323
views
How should I make "exotic" scale enharmonic decisions?
I'm creating a scale visualiser (JavaScript based website) for guitar. I recently updated so it will use "correct" enharmonics e.g. major scales it will default to "Bb" tonic ...
4
votes
1
answer
181
views
Were the correct enharmonics used here?
I’m still a bit new to properly writing out sheet music, so I was wondering if the last few measures (see image below) were written out correctly. If they aren’t, then which ones are wrong and why (...
3
votes
1
answer
145
views
Why does spelling change the consonance/dissonance of the exact same interval?
The interval of F# to A is a minor third, an imperfect consonance. But if we spell the F# as a Gb, suddenly we have created an augmented 2nd, a dissonance. Sonically, these two situations are the ...
6
votes
3
answers
442
views
What chord do we get by raising the fifth of a minor triad?
Raising the fifth of a major triad gives an augmented triad. For example, you can get from C (C-E-G) to C+ (C-E-G♯) by raising the fifth.
However, what happens if this is done to a minor triad? Doing ...
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why are diminished fifths called tritones?
The word "tritone" basically means three whole tones. In the C major scale, we find this between F and B as F-G-A-B. This interval is also called an augmented fourth. However, a diminished ...
0
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Is it correct to write C♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ (twelve sharps) as C?
Let's say there is a song that starts at middle C and the next note is always the previous note raised by a perfect fifth or lowered by a perfect fourth to keep all notes within audible ranges. By ...
2
votes
6
answers
747
views
Is an E augmented triad the same as a C inverted augmented triad?
I know that a C augmented triad is C, E, G♯ and an E augmented triad is E, G♯, B♯. However, I think we can replace the B♯ in the E augmented triad by its enharmonic equivalent, a C. Is it appropriate ...
5
votes
2
answers
193
views
Are diminished 5ths more dissonant than augmented 4ths?
To me when I play these intervals they sounds the same, yet in my harmony textbooks there seems to be a big difference on how these intervals are treated in voice leading.
The principal difference is ...
4
votes
4
answers
554
views
When is b6 a #5 in major mode?
If I am in C major I will often see the b6 described as "mode mixture" in my text books or a borrowed note from the natural minor scale. However if I am in the key of C and play a III chord ...
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
Half step modulations in music [closed]
I'm looking for cllasical/Jazz music pieces with half step (semitone) modulations.
I'm assuming that this type of modulation could appear in the form of enharmonic modulation- when the pivot chord (...
0
votes
2
answers
177
views
Can F# present in the key of Db?
I'm coding an algorithm for transpose chords, but I only have little knowledge of the Music theory.
Is it wrong F# include in key of Db instead of Gb? If the key with a flat all the enharmonic chords ...
4
votes
2
answers
151
views
How to notate Gb7 with E natural and Eb?
I'm trying to notate a progression from the linked video using Musescore, and am confused by the Gb7...
I thought I understood the concept of enharmonics, but in this case, I'm not sure how to apply ...
6
votes
2
answers
491
views
Db in realization of "A7alt" in Levine's piano book
In this other question about Mark Levine's jazz piano book, there's an enharmonic spelling of b9 of G7b9 as G# instead of Ab, which some users objected to:
To me that seemed completely fine, because ...
5
votes
5
answers
170
views
Is a note that is enharmonic to a diatonic note of some diatonic scale, also diatonic in regards to that scale?
I'm learning some music theory from a book, and encountered some question in my head that I can't seem to answer.
The question is in the title:
Is a note that is enharmonic to a diatonic note of some ...
0
votes
1
answer
74
views
Why does major 2nd have more harmonics than major 3rd?
I was watching this video about Just-intonation tuning system. In this video he is explaining how the harmonics work.
He is explaining that the first harmonic is created by dividing a string into half,...
5
votes
2
answers
508
views
Under what circumstances, if any, would we hear enharmomics of the perfect fourth or fifth (e.g. augmented third) in a tonal composition?
The question says it all. I'm assuming 12-tone equal temperament.
To give a more familiar example, we hear a minor third and an augmented second differently, for one is a consonance and the other is a ...
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can you tonicize to a chord that's not on the original key?
I had a discussion with a few people on Chopin's Nocturne in B-flat minor. We couldn't reach an agreement and I'm curious how people would analyze it.
In the middle section of the piece (which is in ...
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
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
1
answer
245
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 ...
5
votes
7
answers
1k
views
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
4
answers
1k
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
1k
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 ...
4
votes
2
answers
588
views
Why is Eb to A# not a perfect 5th?
I read a mock question that asked if Eb to A# was a perfect 5th.
I counted up 7 semitones, and concluded it was.
The answer says that it’s not, but not why.
Is it simply because the enharmonic ...
1
vote
3
answers
363
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, ...
12
votes
3
answers
555
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
3
answers
432
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 ...
2
votes
2
answers
153
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?
9
votes
2
answers
630
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
12k
views
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 ...
3
votes
3
answers
115
views
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, ...
3
votes
5
answers
701
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
3
answers
540
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]...
12
votes
8
answers
2k
views
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
4
answers
2k
views
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.
32
votes
7
answers
10k
views
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
5
answers
798
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
1
answer
150
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 ...
2
votes
2
answers
416
views
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 ...
12
votes
6
answers
2k
views
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 ...
10
votes
4
answers
3k
views
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,...
34
votes
9
answers
14k
views
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 ...
0
votes
3
answers
989
views
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?
5
votes
3
answers
5k
views
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'...
38
votes
13
answers
41k
views
What does this note - B# - mean?
I'm confused as to how I should play the second note below, B#. Does it mean it's C? It is possible? In which case, why is it written like this, and not just C?
Sonata quasi una Fantasia, First ...
20
votes
5
answers
29k
views
How to differentiate between a diminished fifth and an augmented fourth interval?
Both are a tritone appart, both sound the same. How can we differentiate when an interval is an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth?
Context:
In voice leading we learn that when the spelling of ...
68
votes
5
answers
16k
views
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 ...