Notation - Edexcel Notation - sharps and flats

There are different ways of writing down music - this is called notation. Written music will indicate the type and length of note to be played.

Part ofMusicMusic theory

Notation - sharps and flats

When a note is sharpened it is raised. When a note is flattened it is lowered. The keyboard in the video shows some sharps # and flats ♭.

A semitone is one step on the keyboard, or the distance between two notes. A tone is two steps on the keyboard or two semitones put together.

Enharmonic notes

An F# is the same as a G♭. A B♭ is the same as an A#. These are notes - they are described differently but have the same pitch.

Degrees of the scale

Each degree of a scale (see melody) has a name:

DegreeName
1Tonic
2Supertonic
3Median
4Subdominant
5Dominant
6Submediant
7Leading note
Degree1
NameTonic
Degree2
NameSupertonic
Degree3
NameMedian
Degree4
NameSubdominant
Degree5
NameDominant
Degree6
NameSubmediant
Degree7
NameLeading note