bowbag - Posted - 08/25/2007:  22:58:36

Ok, here's a real newbie question. When reading sheet music. Sometimes in the middle of the staff a certain note will be written as being sharp/natural/flat, something other then the key. Does that mean that all the notes there after are to be changed as such or just that one in particular. Like for example if I'm reading a song in the key of C and about 3/4 of the way through I see that a F note is sharped. Up until now I've just been listening to a recording of the song and playing what sounds right.

Edited by - OTJunky on 05/30/2008 17:40:44

BanjoBrad - Posted - 08/25/2007:  23:38:29

The sharped/flatted/naturaled note is played as shown for that measure, then returns to the pitch of the key. In other words, your F# would be played F# for that measure, then would go back to being played as an F natural. Unless the key changes, and then there is usually a new key signature inserted at that point.

Confusing, no? Not really, once you catch the concept.


Banjo Brad
www.PricklyPearMusic.net
ezFolk Page

bowbag - Posted - 08/26/2007:  08:50:51

Ahhhhhh!!! I knew there had to be rhyme and reason to it. Oh man, I wanna go back over my sheet music again.

Dick Hauser - Posted - 08/26/2007:  10:24:05

That note is sharpened, and whenever that note occurs IN THAT MEASURE it will be sharpened. At the beginning of the next measure, the note returns to its normal state.

Watch out. For some reason unknown to me, notation will sometimes have a sharp or natural in the next measure to return to note to its normal state. I hate this practice. It makes me think about something that shouldn't even be there. I think "what is this for - did I miss something ?".

gulfguy

BanjoBrad - Posted - 08/26/2007:  16:17:29

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Hauser

Watch out. For some reason unknown to me, notation will sometimes have a sharp or natural in the next measure to return to note to its normal state. I hate this practice. It makes me think about something that shouldn't even be there. I think "what is this for - did I miss something ?".

gulfguy

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bowbag - Posted - 08/28/2007:  07:40:18

I got to use this last night. I'm learning the Joplin song, The Entertainer at starts right off with one of these. Is there an official term for changing a note's sound separate from the key like this?

OTJunky - Posted - 08/28/2007:  08:00:26

It's called an "accidental"

-OTJ
"I can barely fiddle on four strings. Why would I want five?"

bowbag - Posted - 08/28/2007:  09:26:58

Haha, those are really called accidentals? I had always thought accidentals where when you "accidentally" fingered a note half up or half down. I guess I was partially correct.