Lesson 3: Sharps and Flats

When is the natural sign used in the music? Good question! When a sharp or flat appears in the music, it applies to all of the same notes in its measure or bar. (You will learn about bars in Lesson 4: Rhythm.) Natural signs cancel the effect of sharps or flats in the bar, and also cancel the effect of sharps or flats in the key signature.

Confused? One thing you might try is:		Play notes in diagram.
Look for a piece of music with sharps or flats and a familiar tune. Then try humming or playing it — if you misread a sharp or flat you will probably hear the mistake pretty quickly! Hang in there! These special rules for sharps and flats tend to make more sense after you have been reading music awhile.
By the way, when natural, sharp or flat signs that do not appear in the key signature are used in the music like they are in the above diagram, they are called accidentals.