A double sharp

The purpose of double sharps and flats in key signatures is to represent this scale in the way it is written, and avoid constant use of accidentals on a note - as per the example switching between G and G#.

C double-sharp is a whole step higher than C, which is the D key on the piano keyboard. E double-flat is a whole step lower than E. It is also the D key on the piano keyboard. C double-sharp, E double-flat and D are enharmonic equivalent or enharmonic notes.

In this example, you can see the notes of the D Major scale written without a key signature. Next to it is the very same notes using the key signature for D Major - 2 sharps. That means every F and C you encounter in the music are to be played as F# and C#. All key signatures work the same way.

higher in pitch In music, sharp, dièse (from French), or diesis (from Greek) means, "higher in pitch". More specifically, in musical notation, sharp means "higher in pitch by one semitone (half step)". A sharp is the opposite of a flat, a lowering of pitch.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to use double sharps or double flats in order to notate the music logically adhering to the scale the piece is based upon. (for more information on this subject watch our video on E sharps and C flats).

The double sharp raises a note one whole step and it looks like a mix between an 'x' and a star. Normal sharps are used in key signatures and as accidentals, but double sharps are mainly used as accidentals only.

key of D Major The key of D Major has two sharps; thus, its numeric value is 2. The key of E Major has four sharps - a numeric value of 4. The key of G Major has one sharp.

When you see a double sharp in your music, you simply add a semitone/ half step to the original note. For example - if you have a double sharp in front of a C, you would first move up a half step to C# and then one more, to C double sharp, or what you already know as D.

Those are the notes that are sharp or flat in that key. For example in the key of A major, you have 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#. That means every F, C and G in the score should be played one half step higher.

And you have a b flat in that key signature. And you see a natural on that b. Line just means to play it as a natural don't flatten the note at all. So that's a run down on how sharps. And flats.

A sharp raises a note or tone, and a flat lowers a note or tone. A sharp note makes a tone sound a semitone or pitch higher. A flat makes a note sound a semitone or pitch lower. Sharps and flats have different symbols (# and b respectively).

All the notes with double sharps and flats also have enharmonic equivalents: C##/D, D##/E, F##/G, G##/A and A##/B, and for the flats, C/Dbb, D/Ebb, F/Gbb, G/Abb and A/Bbb. The enharmonic equivalents of all the double sharp/flat notes are always natural notes.