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SHARPS

MUSIC CHORD
TERMS DICTIONARY

 

 
   

SHARPS

A sharp(symbol = "#") means that the note we are referring to is to be raised a half step.  A sharp is the opposite of a flat - which lowers a note one half step.

To understand how flats work, let us look at a chromatic scale:

Chromatic Scale starting with C

Notes C C# D Eb E F F# G G# A Bb B C C# D    
Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15    

A chromatic scale is all of the possible musical notes - and not just the notes in the C scale.  Note that between two "whole steps" such as C to D, that there is a "half step" in between, that we could call C# (C sharp) or we could also call Db (D flat).  Note that C# and Db are the same note, and could be called by either name.  Basically, one half step down from D is the same as one half step up from C.

Now, let us take an example.  A sharp such a F# really means to start with the note F in the chromatic scale, and to go up one "half step" - which in the case of this chromatic scale is one number higher.  So that shows as F#.  As the above information says, F# is really the same as Gb.

Musicord Software Note

The Musicord Software shown below for Windows, includes a number of options for showing and displaying sharps and flats.  One option "auto" tries to guess at your key signature and then uses the sharp or flat designation it believes is most likely.  Of course one can also choose to display notes in all sharps or flats if they wish.


 
   

Now Available !  Musicord Version 3 software for Windows
Shows chords and chord fingerings for
Keyboard and many stringed instruments

screen shot of musicord software ehowing E major chord

(note: actual screen size is larger in usage)

Click Here for More Musicord Information

Click Here for eBook Info on One Person Band Recording

Click here to visit the main rpsoft 2000 software site

Click here to view more music chord terms and definitions

     
One person band techniques book   Book: Becoming a One Person Band (click for info)
eBook Available from Google Play, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook

If you have some instrument skills, particularly with a keyboard instrument such as piano, organ, accordion, or keyboard itself or similar, you can do multiple track recording and create you own band recording of perhaps 4 or 8 or 16 or more pieces. This book focuses on music theory on help for determining what some of those other band parts might play, such as strings, bass or other instruments.