ACCIDENTAL SHARP Meaning and
Definition
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Accidental sharp is a musical term referring to a specific type of accidental notation used in sheet music. An accidental is a symbol used in notation to indicate that a note should be played one semitone higher or lower than its original pitch. In this context, "sharp" refers to raising the pitch of a note by a semitone. The term "accidental sharp" specifically refers to a sharp symbol that is applied to a note within a musical composition, and that is not found within the composition's key signature.
In traditional Western music notation, key signatures are used to indicate which notes are to be sharp, flat, or played at their natural pitch throughout a composition. These key signatures remain in effect until the end of the composition or until another key signature is indicated. However, there are instances within a musical piece where a note needs to be temporarily raised or lowered by a semitone, and this is when an accidental is used.
An accidental sharp denotes that a particular note should be played one semitone higher than the corresponding note in the key signature. The accidental sharp does not alter the key signature for the entire piece; rather, it applies only to the specific note it is placed in front of. It remains in effect for the duration of the measure in which it appears unless explicitly cancelled by a natural or a different accidental sign.
Accidental sharps are commonly used to introduce chromaticism and alter the tonal color of a composition, adding tension or a sense of dissonance that can create harmonic interest.
Common Misspellings for ACCIDENTAL SHARP
- zccidental sharp
- sccidental sharp
- wccidental sharp
- qccidental sharp
- axcidental sharp
- avcidental sharp
- afcidental sharp
- adcidental sharp
- acxidental sharp
- acvidental sharp
- acfidental sharp
- acdidental sharp
- accudental sharp
- accjdental sharp
- acckdental sharp
- accodental sharp
- acc9dental sharp
- acc8dental sharp
- accisental sharp
- accixental sharp
Etymology of ACCIDENTAL SHARP
The term "accidental sharp" does not have a specific etymology of its own. However, to understand its meaning, it is important to understand the individual terms involved.
1. Accidental: In music notation, accidentals are symbols that indicate a temporary alteration of a note's pitch. The word "accidental" comes from the Late Latin word "accidentalis", which means "non-essential" or "happening by chance".
2. Sharp: In music, "sharp" is a symbol (♯) that raises the pitch of a note by one semitone. The word "sharp" comes from the Old English word "scearp", meaning "piercing" or "keen".
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