Using Accidentals

Key signatures are a very convenient way of indicating a major scale restriction for a piece of music. But what happens when we want to go outside that restriction? Then we need to use accidentals. These are sharp, flat, or natural signs placed in the music which will contradict the key signature at that point. The natural sign cancels a sharp or a flat that would otherwise be required by the key signature. For example, in the key of F (B’s are flat), if we wanted to play a plain old B (yes, the white key), we would need a natural sign in front of it. Any other “altered” notes, not normally part of the key would need an accidental in front of them. Accidentals will be “in force” for the remainder of the measure in which they are introduced, and will then be cancelled out by the next bar line in the music (or beforehand if necessary, by another accidental on the same note, within the measure). Let’s now look at an example in the key of F, which uses accidentals:

1. This is the note B♭ , as required by the key signature.
2. This is the note B (natural), which contradicts the key signature.
3. This is the note B♭ , as required by the key signature. The bar line cancelled out the previous accidental.
4. This is the note B (natural), which contradicts the key signature.
5. This is still the note B (natural). The accidental is still “in force” until the next bar line.
6. This is the note B♭ , which needed a flat sign to cancel out the accidental, as we’re still in the same measure.

So, watch out for those accidentals, but if you follow these rules, you should do just fine!